13 Tips To Be An Effective Communicator
I 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:
- Jack Welch (Former CEO of General Electric)- Best communication asset: Simplicity Tip: Eliminate jargon.
- Steve Jobs (CEO of Apple)- Best communication asset: Charisma Tip: Create and articulate a bold vision.
- Meg Whitman (CEO of Ebay)- Best communication asset: Penchant for listening Tip: Seek feedback.
- John Chambers (CEO of Cisco Systems)- Best communication asset: Preparedness Tip: Review and rehearse your presentation.
- David Neeleman (CEO of JetBlue Airways)- Best communication asset: Talent for storytelling Tip: Tell tales that inspire.
- Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks)- Best communication asset: Passion Tip: Identify and share what you’re passionate about.
- Suze Orman (Author, TV Host)- Best communication asset: Clarity of expression Tip: Break down complex information into easy parts.
- Rudy Giuliani (Former NYC Mayor)- Best communication asset: Ability to make eye contact Tip: Spend 90% of the time looking at your audience.
- John Thompson(CEO of Symantec)- Best communication asset: Facileness with optimistic language Tip: Employ powerful and positive words.
- Klaus Kleinfeld (CEO of Siemens)- Best communication asset: Ability to reinvent Tip: Stay fresh, remain current.
- Larry Ellison (CEO of Oracle)- Best communication asset: Looking like a leader Tip: Pay attention to what your wardrobe says about you.
- Richard Branson (CEO of Virgin Group)- Best communication asset: Generosity with praise Tip: Lavish appropriate praise on employees, customers, and colleagues.
- 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?
10 Responses to “13 Tips To Be An Effective Communicator”
Andy Stanley…because he breaks it down on practical and applicable level.
Tip: Pray, Prepare, and Practice
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.
great work scott. thanks for being simple in helping communicators read this.
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.
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.
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
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
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.