One of the key qualities of leadership is the ability to influence others with your words as well as your actions. It’s true that “actions speak louder than words,” however words are what triggers movement and momentum. Words are vital to mobilizing people and instilling confidence in them. How can you ensure your words have more meaning and power?
Below is a three-step formula you can use to become an influential communicator:
1) Know thyself
Do you get up every day, gaze at yourself in the mirror, grin and say, “good morning, fabulous!”? Whether or not you begin your morning with a shout out to your greatness, you should take time each day to refine your image and make an effort to get to know yourself. Learning what makes you tick is what will allow you to deepen your communication with others.
Each of us has particular behaviors and values that drive us. Learning what your behaviors and values are keys to powerful communication. Consider this…
Behavior = How you express your attitude
Values = What drives you
Behaviors + Values = Communicating with impact
Which behavior style do you exhibit? Are you more Assertive or Persuasive or Stable or Analytical? We all possess each of these styles, however we always lead with one. How do you know which one you favor? Think about how you behave when you get stressed. Understanding all the behavior styles and moving effectively between them will allow you to communicate more effectively with other people, by communicating from their perspective.
What are your top two values? Your top two values drive everything you do and must be present to ensure your happiness and productivity. Are you driven by the need for knowledge, return on investment, harmony and balance, power and control, giving back/volunteering/being of service or by a codebook of a systematic way of living?
If you have trouble identifying your behaviors and values, ask your Human Resource team to provide an assessment to help give you greater definition and understanding.
2) Know your value
Everyone can stand out. You already do, you just don’t know it yet. Starting right now, you must begin thinking of yourself as a walking brand. Your value extends beyond your job title, function or description. You are a brand, so you must sell yourself by showcasing your value to others.
If you look at the logos of Starbucks, Gap, Lakers and Hershey’s, their associated images and words will evoke in you a feeling or an emotion. It works the same for you - your brand is your name and image. If I called three of your colleagues and said your name, they would all have a picture in their mind of who you are and what you stand for. You are a walking brand. Most of us are clueless about how our brand appears to others. Why remain in the dark? Turn on the light and take a look at yourself!
3) Know your audience
Who are your internal and external customers? Who are the people you serve? In order to best serve her clients, my dear and trusted peer, Debra Valle, asks them to supply her with a list of information, including: age, education, title, department, location, challenge, life stage/style, hobbies and interests. Salespeople do the same because they are aware that the more you understand about your audience, the more you can tailor your “pitch.” The better you know your audience, the greater power you will have to build relatability and relationship.
Only when you know the people you serve can you begin to truly serve them. Once you know who you are and what your brand is you can serve your audience in a far more meaningful way.
How will you put this three-step formula to work for you this month? Practice, practice, practice. Consider the Los Angeles Lakers. The players practice basketball every week even though they already know how to play basketball. Why should professionals practice weekly? To improve their game and increase the chances of making winning plays when the pressure and stakes are high. Practice makes you more proficient. How can you practice being a proficient communicator?
