Something I’ve echoed for years is “Problems stem from the lack-of or poor communication.”
Sometimes overwhelming emotions or uncertainties can throw us off track when searching for solutions, either large or small. Regardless, they need to be attended to and handled with thorough thought and mature reasoning.
How do you find a medium that works for you; between verbal and non verbal communication?
A recent speech given by Michael Hyatt at the Liberty University Continue Reading…
When there are people who share a common goal, things happen. Progress happens. Leadership happens. Results happen. Awesome happens.
Each one of us has something different to offer the world. We have the ability to connect with people that share a common goal or dream. When we embrace what is important to us, ideas are shared and stories begin to surface.
The other night, I attended a collaboration event of local writers to the Phoenix area. Inspired by The Domino Project, both Tyler Hurst and Jeff Moriarty organized its focus on writers and storytellers who are looking to do more with their current projects. Continue Reading…
So I have been spending some time researching the Industrial Age and its revolutionary approaches. Now that we are just getting out of the Information Age and into the Conceptual Age, I thought I’d blog a little bit about a gentleman by the name of Henry J. Kaiser, an American industrialist who knew that it’s all in how react to trouble that really matters.
While trouble my seen more innocuous than failure, a leader may look at them in the same light. But just like failure, you can’t have success without some trouble along the way.
We witness sports teams deal with trouble, or inconveniences, all season long. The Boston Red Sox (but for the record…I am a Detroit Tigers fan) had their share of trouble in the 2007 season. One of their star players, Manny Ramirez, was sidelined with a muscle injury for about three weeks during the summer. A young player by the name of Jacoby Ellsbury, was brought up from a minor league team to play while Ramirez recovered. Ellsbury proved to be such a good player that the manager, Terry Francona, found a way to keep him in the line-up even after Ramirez returned from his injury. Ellsbury went on to play throughout the rest of the season, which culminated in a World Series Championship for the Red Sox.
For leaders, trouble may come in the form of a manufacturing glitch, an unexpected time delay, or an act of God like a fire or flood…or perhaps a disgruntled employee. The key to your success will be how you deal with these inconveniences. For example, use the manufacturing glitch as a chance to strengthen your relationship with your key manufacturer or to find a new manufacturer.
Show your business acumen by responding well to so-called “trouble.”
Believe it or not, all of us speak to the world without having to say a word through non-verbal communication. Almost every facet of our personality is revealed through our appearance, our body language, our gestures, our facials expressions, our overall demeanor,and our posture and movements.
In our professional and personal lives, we’d like to think we could make friends and influence people if we verbally articulate our message with optimism, enthusiasm, charisma, poise and charm. However did you know that the verbal impact of communication only accounts for 7% of your overall message? The bulk of our communication comes across in our appearance and body language, comprising 55%. Tone, speed and inflection of our voice make up the remaining 38%.
Since non-verbal communication encompasses 93% of our overall message, here is a closer look at what that entails.
It can include your attire, tone of voice, clearing your throat, rubbing your eyes, crossing your arms, tapping your toes, scratching your nose. Eye contact, or lack thereof, gestures, crossed legs, open arms, and the scent we transmit are all forms of non-verbal communication. Through your choice of clothing, hairstyle, glasses, accessories, and makeup if applicable, your appearance also communicates a strong message. The way you dress plays a vital part in how listeners receive you and how others respond to you.
According to author John T. Molloy, who is responsible for Dress for Success, clothes are used as a tool to control how others react to you and treat you.
In an interview situation or during a business meeting, it is very important that you send out the right signals. Always look attentive and interested in the opportunity or conversation – do not slouch in your chair. If you fib, your body language, tone of voice or choice of words will probably give you away. Classic body language giveaways include looking everywhere other than the person you are speaking to and concealing your mouth behind your hands while speaking.
Not only is it important for us to be aware of our own body language, but it is as important to understand what body language means so we can effectively assess and react to others. For example, we may pass a negative judgment on someone because they slouch, fidget, or pout. If we are aware of why we made the judgment, we can filter out our biases and understand what their body language means and what it is telling us about that individual.
The most significant fact you should remember is that non-verbal signals have five times the impact of verbal signals. When the verbal and the non-verbal parts of the message are congruent, the listener believes your message. If they are not congruent, usually your words are saying yes, but your body language is saying no.
Always remember, actions speak louder than words.
What kind of experiences have you had with comparing verbal and non-verbal communication?
