Archivi dei tag: Communicate

The modern workplace is changing, and holding a senior position within an organisation no longer automatically means that you can influence your team members. You may often have to convince both bosses and colleagues of the merits of your strategy or idea.

This means that you need a range of influencing tactics, to ensure that you are comfortable influencing different people at different times and in different situations.

You can use more than one way to convince your colleagues of your plan’s strengths. You can use both logic and emotion; demonstrate both the positive aspects of the plan and the negative aspects of the alternatives.

There are four strategies you can consider:

1. Investigator
2. Calculator
3. Motivator
4. Collaborator

1. Investigators draw on facts and figures to support a logical and methodical approach. To become adept at this style of influencing, it is important to feel comfortable handling data, finding information that supports your strategy, and then using it to form a convincing argument.

Information gathering is the first step. Effective influencers of this type collect two main types of information: background data, which informs their view of the world, and task-related data, that is for a specific purpose. Be sure to chunk your information before delivering, to avoid audience stops listening. And be sure also to avoid information overload!

2. Calculators  tend to use logic to influence and will likely be good debaters.

This style depends on giving time and effort to in-depth analysis and the creation of a well-structured argument. Skills associated with this approach include: the ability to weigh options, the capacity to provide feedback, and an understanding of when to offer concessions.

Stick to the facts so that you keep your credibility, but remember to contrast your proposal’s benefits with the risks of inaction in a way that your listeners can relate to.

3. Motivators use emotions and the “big picture” to communicate compelling visions of the future. While some people seem to be natural motivators, there are some simple lessons that can teach any of us to influence through motivation.

You can add structure to your enthusiasm, and maximise the impact of any presentation you have to give. You may would like to use the Monroe’s Motivated Sequence. In five steps you will gain your audience’s attention, and leave team members with specific actions that they can take afterwards.

You might think that you lack the natural charisma to be a Motivator, but the good news is that this trait can be developed. You can learn to be more engaging, likeable and inspiring. Concentrate on your body language, help others to feel good, and show empathy, assertiveness and confidence.

4. Collaborators use motivation too, but they persuade people by involving them in the decision.

Collaborators are great team builders. They engage people’s hearts and minds. This helps people to own the process of change for themselves. In these circumstances, your role is to be a facilitator rather than trying to convince team members logically.

To be a collaborator, you likely need: the ability to share power, the capacity to listen actively, and the willingness to communicate openly.

And you, which one of these influencing strategies are you most and least comfortable with?

 

It happens to all of us. We draft an important message and broadcast it to the world to only find out that the world “did not get it”.

The email was misunderstood; the news announcement jumped to second page too fast; the videoconference connection got interrupted; the meeting was too long, people got distracted and missed the critical info right at the end. Effective communication is demanding. It is influenced by organisational factors such as the workplace culture and norms, the level of communication skills of senders and recipients, the engagement of employees, to name a few.

But there are also elements within our control that can help us communicate more effectively. Choosing the right means or channel for communication is one. Here we share with you some tips and resources on this topic. Deciding on ‘how’ you are going to communicate entails first reflecting on your communication objectives, audience and content.

Think about your communication objective

Why are you communicating? Are you providing general information, sharing knowledge or asking for a decision? Is your objective ambitious and you are attempting to change behaviours?

Know your target audience

Knowing your stakeholders includes understanding their communication needs and preferences. How do they like to stay informed? Will they have questions? How would they prefer to give feedback?

Consider your content

Sensitive or conflictual information is best given in person (even if there is a written follow-up). On the other hand, if your content is more informal, for example, if you are sharing useful resources, you can use social media, which will allow you to label and store the content properly.

Know the strengths and weaknesses of each communication channel

We easily fall into habits and start to rely too much on a single communication channel (I think email is abused nowadays). It is important to consider the most efficient and effective channel for each message. Getting acquainted and comfortable with using different channels is a priority.