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Jealously Guarded Secret of One Overlooked Hidden Selling Technique
Do you know Mr. Q plays an important role in your online business?
"Just who's Mr. Q?"
I bet you've this question now.
No. Mr. Q isn't someone from a notorious prison. Neither is he a fictitious character from comic book.
I'm talking...
Literally Littered with Illiteracy
There’s some ‘alliteration’ for you! My great concern though, is the fact that there are too many today who wouldn’t understand the title or know the meaning of ‘alliteration’ (a repetition of words beginning with the same letter – as in Peter...
Strategic Checklists
I've been through a couple of checklists in the past few days, and it's reaffirmed my faith in their effectiveness as a communication tool.
Now, there are at least a couple of ways we can look at checklists in a communication context. First,...
Why Communication Skills Don't Work In Customer Service
Every time my firm conducts communication skills training, we know someone is going to object.
“That doesn't work. Everybody's heard of active listening. You can't use that stuff anymore.”
And we have to admit, there's a lot of truth in...
Why PR is an Engine for Economic Growth
Business, non-profit and association managers committing their public relations resources to (1) doing something about the behaviors of those important outside audiences that most affect their operation, (2) creating the kind of external...
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A Communication Check List
Use this check list to assess your communication skills.
Focus
* Do you pay complete attention to others when they are speaking? (A wandering focus discourages open communication.)
* Do you manage your thoughts during a conversation, focusing them on understanding what the other person is saying? (Effective listening requires more concentration than any other form of communication. If you're thinking about anything other than what the person is saying, you're defeating your ability to understand.)
* Do you postpone preparing your reply until after you have heard everything the other person has to say? (Thinking about what you plan to say while the other person is speaking prevents you from understanding what that person is saying.)
* Do you ignore distractions, such as other people, ambient noise, and the surroundings? (Attending to distractions makes you appear uninterested, unfocused, and rude.)
* Do you make eye contact during a conversation? (Watching a person's face shows that you're paying attention. You also gather nonverbal messages, which can convey most of the important information being conveyed to you.)
Environment
* Do you convey confidence, courage, and strength during your conversations? (A pleasant manner will encourage people to trust you and tell you more. Negative behavior conveys weakness, insecurity, and fear.)
* Do you react calmly to bad news? (Anger will frighten people into avoiding you.)
* Do you encourage others to speak freely? (Appearing interested, asking questions, and
treating others with respect will facilitate open communication.)
* Do you use a diplomatic, positive vocabulary? (Talking about what you want is more forceful than talking about what you don't want, won't do, or can't do. This means that in most cases you would delete the word "not" from what you say.)
* Do you seek solutions? (Seeking approval, culprits, or excuses, discourages communication.)
Clarity
* Do you stick to the subject? (Introducing new unrelated issues will confuse the other person and degrade the quality of your conversation.)
* Do you maintain a "you" focus? (Speak in terms of what the other person needs, wants, and understands because that will enhance the impact of what you say.)
* Do you avoid games? (Asking trick questions, setting traps, and making others look bad will cause people to avoid you.)
* Do you use a linear, logical approach to explaining things? (Make it easy for others to understand you because it's more efficient.)
* Do you use common terms? (Avoid jargon and flowery speech because these impress only the person using them.)
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Steve Kaye helps leaders hold meetings that produce results - fast and with everyone's participation. He is an IAF Certified Professional Facilitator, author, and speaker. His facilitation and workshops create success for everyone. Call 714-528-1300 for details. Visit http://www.stevekaye.com for a free report.
Copyright Steve Kaye - www.stevekaye.com
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