WILL THEY LISTEN?
IN TODAY'S ultra-sophisticated information age, the need to communicate clearly has never been greater. Information is valuable only when shared. And to be shared, it has to be delivered consistently, in a readily identifiable manner and using a tone that’s easily understood. It is not necessarily shouters who make the most telling contribution.
Voices should not merely be heard, but listened to as well. Complex issues must be delivered in simple, clear language. An overriding challenge is to minimise communication breakdowns.
The requisite proficiency does not always come naturally, but when executed well it will be a key factor in corporate success. Skilled relations with your publics have a pivotal part to play in this process.
Business managers take on wide-ranging responsibilities for communications, starting with internal requirements. Their actions are also scrutinised by people outside the organisation – by customers, suppliers, investors, regulators, competitors, commentators and others.
Tasks include improving understanding, widening acceptance and enhancing reputations. By speaking clearly and consistently, from a uniform and united base, business aims and objectives can be so much easier to achieve.
DIFFERENT AUDIENCES
Notwithstanding that different audiences will need differing styles of presentation and degrees of selectivity in content, corporate messages must never be fragmented nor massaged for the sake of effect. Say it as it is and the identity will register positively and constructively.
At the heart of all this is the quality of the public relations effort, keeping the cogs of business lubricated. Primary purposes of professionally-led PR messages are to drive behaviour, add value and strengthen results.
Clarity is at the heart of the messaging. People should not have to read between the lines and make their own assumptions about what you are trying to convey.
Be concise. Stick to the point and keep it brief. Be as accurate and logical as possible, making sure that any technical points fit your audience’s level of comprehension. In a complete message, the listener or reader will have everything needed to be properly informed and know what to do next.
Conversely, poor communicating could lead people to do something other than you had intended, or nothing at all.
GOOD RELATIONS
Using a good relations approach, you will find that each situation requires a different form of address.
Within the workplace, people expect a relatively professional level of discussion. Fall short and you could exchange the dynamic within the team, or be viewed as unprofessional, possibly uncaring. Maintain your ability to be personable and speak at all levels, while also understanding when it's time to sharpen up.Confidence, through knowing your subject, is often the key to successful communications. Such confidence is transmitted to others, helping build relationships.
Effective communicators are like chameleons, able to move seamlessly from one situation to another without breaking stride. Most great leaders are also fantastic communicators.
Choose the moment. There is a time and place for everything. Picking the right place provides the freedom for the connection to open, flourish and reach maturity.
Wherever and whatever, a
s never before, communication has become a two-way street, requiring you to gauge how much of your message is hitting home and to invite inclusion. Listening is learning. Listen actively. It is a fundamental interrelations skill.George Bernard Shaw said: “The biggest single problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
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