13 Tips To Be An Effective Communicator

Posted by Scott Williams
11 Comments
August 11, 2009
Communication | Leaders

communicateI was recently re-reading an old Business Week article entitled The Great Communicators; which outlined some secrets of the worlds greatest business communicators.  Effective communication is skill that we can all learn and polish; it’s about the ability to be persuasive, believable, inspirational, charismatic, authentic and overall magnetic. 

We are all drawn to different styles of communicators; however the end result to effective communication is the same, the communicators were able to take us on a journey and make us like it.  It doesn’t matter if you are a: SAHM, Pastor, CEO, Teacher, Politician, Worship Leader, Customer Service Rep., Leader, Coach… we can all learn from effective communicators.  Here are 12 Tips from some of the world’s best business communicators and a bonus one from me:

  1. Jack Welch (Former CEO of General Electric)-  Best communication asset: Simplicity   Tip: Eliminate jargon.
  2. Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple)- Best communication asset: Charisma  Tip: Create and articulate a bold vision.
  3. Meg Whitman (CEO of Ebay)- Best communication asset: Penchant for listening  Tip: Seek feedback.
  4. John Chambers (CEO of Cisco Systems)- Best communication asset: Preparedness  Tip: Review and rehearse your presentation.
  5. David Neeleman (CEO of JetBlue Airways)- Best communication asset: Talent for storytelling  Tip: Tell tales that inspire.
  6. Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks)- Best communication asset: Passion  Tip: Identify and share what you’re passionate about.
  7. Suze Orman (Author, TV Host)- Best communication asset: Clarity of expression  Tip: Break down complex information into easy parts.
  8. Rudy Giuliani (Former NYC Mayor)- Best communication asset: Ability to make eye contact  Tip: Spend 90% of the time looking at your audience.
  9. John Thompson(CEO of Symantec)- Best communication asset: Facileness with optimistic language  Tip: Employ powerful and positive words.
  10. Klaus Kleinfeld (CEO of Siemens)- Best communication asset: Ability to reinvent  Tip: Stay fresh, remain current.
  11. Larry Ellison (CEO of Oracle)- Best communication asset: Looking like a leader  Tip: Pay attention to what your wardrobe says about you.
  12. Richard Branson (CEO of Virgin Group)- Best communication asset: Generosity with praise  Tip: Lavish appropriate praise on employees, customers, and colleagues.
  13. Scott Williams (CEO of This Blog)- Best communication asset: Being yourself   Tip: Don’t try to emulate or be someone else, people recognize a phony from a mile away.  Do You!  It’s a Statement… Not a Question!

Who are some of your favorite communicators and why?  Do you have any additional tips to add?

  • http://www.jasoncurlee.com Jason Curlee

    Andy Stanley…because he breaks it down on practical and applicable level.

    Tip: Pray, Prepare, and Practice

  • http://www.leadHership.net LeadHership

    OH MY GOSH! This is an excellent resource! Love it! I’d add this great communicator’s site that I’ve learned alot from and followed for some time: http://www.bertdecker.com/experience/
    It’s a great resource for communicators.

  • http://www.jasonyounglive.com jasonyounglive

    great work scott. thanks for being simple in helping communicators read this.

  • http://www.metacognician.com Kendra Golden

    Francis Chan (Senior Pastor Cornerstone Simi Valley) Best asset: pure raw emotional transparency. Tip: If you’re struggling or excited or passionate or broken or whatever, let it show in your voice and body language.

  • http://basementseven.com heady

    Jason – love the tips and especially the practice. however, prayer is SUPER DUPER important. but we don’t want to overlook practicing. My pastor is always hammering this home: PRACTICE. Yes ALLEN IVERSON – PRACTICE. Lol…

    Let your day be filled with smiles and share a compliment or two today.

  • LatashaMorrison

    Andy Stanley and Jeanne Stevens because they both paint the picture so well.You feel like you’ve been on a journey without moving. Jeanne speaks out of her experience which eludes conviction and passion. http://www.soulcityblog.com

  • http://www.twitter.com/marcmillan Marc Millan

    Incredible line up of speakers bro. I’d add:
    T.D.Jakes(Potters House, Author, Pastor)- Passion and conviction ring through his teachings
    Craig Groschel(Pastor of Lifechurch.tv, Author, Innovator)- Humor and truth expressed in simplicity.

    All the comments so far have been awesome too, Prayer, Practice(Allen Iverson shout out..Holla) Good stuff. Be good to get a list of BAD communicators too and why they bore the snot out of us :-)

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  • http://www.tbsusa.com Benita

    Joel Osteen is one of my favorite communicators to follow in speaking and writing. His language is plain, examples are real, and the message is always relevant.

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