Get L.O.C.K.’ed in!
Like all skills, communication can be taught. What can’t be taught though is the confidence it takes to communicate fearlessly and effectively. That said, a few key thoughts can help you build better rapport with others and over time, this rapport can give you the confidence you need to get your message across. To help with that, I suggest you get L.O.C.K.’ed in!
L: LOSE Your Selfishness: In a perfect world (which we don’t live in by the way), others would respect us so much that they’d shift their communication style to match ours in order to make us comfortable. Since we can’t expect that, it’s our job to figure out how they prefer to be communicated with and meet them on their terms. If they’re analytical, we have to make our communication flow with data and numbers if we want to convince them. If they’re more assertive, we need to allow them space to get their message out. If we choose to be selfless here, we’ll build better rapport and find we get better results.
O: OBSERVE the Signs Others Give You: When I teach workshops, I try to pay attention to the body language of the group. I can see when I’m losing them to boredom, hunger, or apathy. It’s totally natural. If I choose to ignore this, I’ll shut off their ability to learn and probably build some resentment against me. Nobody ever said “awe we have to finish 30 minutes early?”
C: CONNECT On Their Terms: We already covered this one. Quit being selfish, discover how others want to be communicated with, and communicate with them that way.
K: KEEP This Up Until It Becomes Natural: Data on the exact length of time this varies on this, but just know it takes time to make something new into a habit. If you’re prone to jump in and finish others’ sentences for them, drone on and on about your upcoming vacation, or feel the need to jump in and say “oh I know EXACTLY how you feel about that, I actually ……..” just know you won’t change overnight. Make a commitment to shift your communication habits and just work on it.
All of us have ideas that would revolutionize the workplace, make life more comfortable, or make a million dollars. If we can’t learn to communicate them with confidence, they’ll never succeed. This week think about how you can L.O.C.K. in better to relate to others and build better rapport. You’ll approach life with your head a lot higher and situations with more assertiveness.