We spend a lot of our time in workshops, on this blog, and in all our conversations with our clients, discussing the importance of good communication skills. We always talk about the power of listening, of being prepared, of having goals and talking points and plans… all of it matters. When you take a good approach to your communication, you are likely to drive better outcomes… for yourself, for your project, for your team or organization. There are tangible outcomes that arise from good communication skills, and those outcomes can often be measured specifically.
But there is another benefit that comes from being a good communicator, one that is harder to measure, but often even more powerful. Once the people around us start to notice that we listen well and treat people with respect, that we show up prepared, that we are intentional in our communication, they start to notice how that makes them feel, and the impact that it has. Not everyone will notice… some people just can’t get outside of their own head and won’t have that level of awareness. But many will notice. And for those that do notice, our consistently good behaviors become contagious over time. When we treat others with respect by treating their time well, by listening well, people start to notice the impact our behaviors have on them… and they will start to develop a sense of the impact they want to have on others.
In other words, good behaviors breed good behaviors.
Your good communication behaviors will drive good, tangible outcomes. And your good communication behaviors will also drive even better, less tangible outcomes. But both matter.
Good behavior is contagious. Start today.
Happy Monday.
Does your team:
– Take too long to make decision?
– Fail to ask for what it wants or needs from you?
– Make things too complicated?
– Deliver unconvincing or disorganized presentations?
– Have new hires who are unprepared to communicate in the workplace?
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Dean: I agree 100% with your commentary today, and it’s foundational to the coaching I do. When we’re prepared, we listen, and we communicate well with any leadership group… with clear objectives, next steps, etc…, that leadership group begins to model similar good communications habits in their interactions with each other and throughout their organization.
Thanks John! Great to hear from you.