The Most Powerful Way To Communicate Is A Story
Here are 3 tips for finding your story. If you apply these 3 tips to your communication you will be more effective, more clear and more impactful.
- One: What is your primary message?
- Two: Who is your primary audience?
- Three: Show benefit
What Is The One Thing You Have To Say?
First of all, the most common mistake in telling a story is rambling on and on and on.
Further more, be clear on the message you desire to communicate. What is it that you want your audience to get from your story?
In addition, make sure it is ONE Thing!
Who Are You Talking To?
Communicating to those who will hear you is key! If you are an Indian Guru you will probably not be well received by a group of evangelicals.
This is simple. Talk to those who want to hear what you have to say.
Why Should They Listen?
How will your audience benefit from what you say?
Why should they stay?
What is in it for them?
3 Way To Get People To Listen
1. Listen. This may seem counter-intuitive, but by far the most effective way to get people’s attention is to give them yours. When you truly listen to someone – when you offer them your undivided focus, summarize their main points to make sure you’re tracking, ask curiosity-based questions to find out more – you’re demonstrating openness and respect in a powerful way. Most people automatically want to hear what someone who seems interested in them might have to say.
2. Cut to the chase. Make your point. Too many times we get caught up in the details and lose our listener.
3. Read the Room. If you’re talking to someone or to a group, and they’re not giving you their attention (surreptitiously looking at their phones, doodling, looking out the window, writing emails), they’re not listening to you. As above, you talking more is probably not going to help. Stop talking. Ask a question; find out what they’re interested in hearing. Even if you’re the most compelling speaker in the world, people won’t listen to you if they’re not interested in your topic. The depth of your passion for taxidermy is not going to engage your vegan friends – I don’t care how articulate you are.
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