Do you connect when you communicate?

Ralph G. Nichols said that the #1 criterion for the professionals to advance and promote is their abilities to connect with their audiences in communications. Here is how to become an effective communicator.

Imagining you well-prepared a five-year strategic plan to brief the senior management on MS Teams, in the middle of your presentation, all of a sudden, you noticed that your screen was frozen. You realized that Teams had lost connectivity, and you were communicating (#communicate) to no audience!

We try to communicate, but our communication is ineffective if we don't connect with our audiences. Ralph G. Nichols said that the #1 criterion for the professionals to advance and promote is their abilities to connect with their audiences in communications. Here is how to become an effective communicator:

1. Know your audiences. Communication is about the receivers, not the deliverer. Communicate in your audiences' wavelength range is essential for effective communication.

2. Know your communication style. Words deliver only 7% of the message. Implicit means (e.g., the tone and body language) provides the rest of 93% of the message. A personality trait assessment, such as the Maxwell DISC Personality Indicator Report, would help to know your communication style to deliver 93% of the message effectively.

3. Learn from effective communicators. Connecting is a skill that we can learn. A peer group, such as a Mastermind group, to discuss the communicating skills of effective communicators improves your communication skills.

4. Once you find the way that works for you, try it in different situations. It expands your toolset to connect with your audiences. The more tools you have, the higher likelihood is your success.

5. Practice, Practice, Practice.

A career coach can provide resources and work with you to excel in your abilities to connect.