Loosen It Up- Essential Strategies for Effective Business Communications 093024

Loosen Up! Essential Strategies for Effective Business Communication

Introduction
The Critical Importance of Clear Communications
Hope your week has gotten off to a strong start. So, what’s on the agenda today? We’re diving into how you can enhance your business communications by avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring that your message is received as intended. Trust me, this is a crucial skill, regardless of whether you’re interacting with your team or your clients (it’s also critical for friends and family too!) Miscommunication can lead to issues that wreck relationships, cost your company money, and cause unnecessary turmoil. It’s tough enough to get that important meeting or opportunity, so why blow it by sending mixed signals.

5-4-3-2-1! Give a listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast
Mel Robbins is one of my all-time favorite speakers, authors, and coaches. I recently tuned into an episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast (which I highly recommend!) This new episode featured Jefferson Fisher, an expert in effective communications. This episode touched upon the importance of clarity and understanding in conversations. Fisher, a former legal professional turned communications master, shared valuable insights worth considering.
Unraveling the ‘Knot’: Addressing Miscommunication
A key takeaway from Fisher’s discussion is the concept of the ‘knot’ in a conversation—points where the dialogue gets tangled, and understanding is lost. The episode emphasized the need to unravel these knots together rather than getting defensive or shutting down. It’s about making sure everyone is on the same page…collectively working together-which is vital in both personal and business settings.

Example of Miscommunication in the Workplace
Let me share an experience from my own business journey. I once had a salesperson tell me my tone sounded condescending. Although that wasn’t my intention, it didn’t matter because that’s how it was perceived. Instead of getting defensive, I could have unraveled the situation by affirming their importance and clarifying my intent. This approach not only resolves the immediate issue but also prevents lingering resentment.
Tips to Improve Communications
1. Reiterate Without Being Condescending: It’s essential to ensure that what you say is what the other person hears. To prevent a disconnect, explain your perspective and provide examples.
2. Untie the ‘Knot’ Together: Instead of simply repeating yourself, clarify your intentions and work together to resolve any misunderstanding. This collaborative effort fosters a positive and productive environment.
3. Acknowledge Baggage and Distractions: Understand that everyone brings their own concerns and distractions into conversations. Being mindful of this helps in ensuring that your message is clearly and accurately received.

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Takeaways and next steps
Let’s consider a couple scenarios where these tips can be applied:
Leading a meeting: State your objectives and give EXAMPLES as to what you mean. Rather than plowing forward, or randomly asking “does everyone understand…” HELP THEM UNDERSTAND!
Leading a Project: If you’re asking someone to take the lead, express confidence in their abilities and explain the benefits and responsibilities. This empowers them and clarifies your expectations.
Feedback and Criticism: When providing feedback, avoid sounding condescending. Focus on examples and constructive input that helps the person understand and improve.
Negotiations: It’s hard (to say the least) to get what you want if the other side doesn’t know what you mean. Think of it like this-directly from Jefferson Fisher… “any time there is miscommunication, what was sent, is not what is received. What you thought you said, is not what they heard.”
Regardless of what you say, it’s way more important to know what they heard.

https://calendly.com/jd-duffinmedia/60min

Conclusion
When I created the “Your Message Received” Podcast and executive leadership/ sales coaching platforms, those concerns are EXACTLY the problems I intend to identify and solve (for clients and audiences.) In essence-effective communication is about ensuring clarity, addressing misunderstandings together, and being mindful of the personal contexts people bring into conversations. It’s not about getting it perfect every time, but about continuous improvement and understanding. By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your communication skills, avoid wrecked relationships, drive revenue, and foster a productive and successful work environment.
Here’s to mastering the art of communications and cheers to a fantastic week.

Shoutout
A big shoutout to the Mel Robbins Podcast and Jefferson Fisher for their incredible insights. Be sure to check out their discussion for more valuable tips.

Click the link below to secure your free coaching discovery call with me.

Let’s optimize your communications today!