Tuesday, October 31, 2006
How Clear Is Your Message?
Does your television display a clear picture? Have you ever had your computer modem disconnect or experienced static in your cell phone? I don't have to tell you how frustrated we become when we are unable to transmit or receive a message. In this day of high-speed everything and very little patience, if communication devices don't perform clearly we immediately tune out.
How well is your personal communication equipment performing? As human beings and not electronic devices, we tend not to look at ourselves as equipped with transmitters and receivers. The only time most of us believe our equipment to be in jeopardy is when we suffer from laryngitis. Not true!
I believe that much of the reason Joe gets hired over Mike could very well be the clarity of his message - in this case how he speaks being equally important to what he says! Lots of folks have qualifications, education and strong work histories. Lots of folks make their companies money and save their companies money. What lots of people can't do is effectively talk about it! And fewer still know how to listen.
There is no question that the delivery of a message determines "who gets it." While interviewing is an activity many fear, I encourage you to deliver a strong passion about who you are and project a mission about what you intend to do. Develop a "signature statement" that answers the question, "Tell me about yourself." Show-off you features and benefits, making sure to stay relevant with what the employer considers mission-critical to his company's success. Check out your vocal presentation. Does your voice stay at only one volume and tone? Do you sit up and lean forward when it's time to make a strong point? How do you make your point? Professional speakers know how persuasive if not downright contagious a message containing excitement can be. Ask any good evangelist or motivational speaker.
What to do? Practice, practice, practice... Grab your partner and test your transmitting and receiving skills. In personal communications as in electronics, the word "static" creates interference.
How well is your personal communication equipment performing? As human beings and not electronic devices, we tend not to look at ourselves as equipped with transmitters and receivers. The only time most of us believe our equipment to be in jeopardy is when we suffer from laryngitis. Not true!
I believe that much of the reason Joe gets hired over Mike could very well be the clarity of his message - in this case how he speaks being equally important to what he says! Lots of folks have qualifications, education and strong work histories. Lots of folks make their companies money and save their companies money. What lots of people can't do is effectively talk about it! And fewer still know how to listen.
There is no question that the delivery of a message determines "who gets it." While interviewing is an activity many fear, I encourage you to deliver a strong passion about who you are and project a mission about what you intend to do. Develop a "signature statement" that answers the question, "Tell me about yourself." Show-off you features and benefits, making sure to stay relevant with what the employer considers mission-critical to his company's success. Check out your vocal presentation. Does your voice stay at only one volume and tone? Do you sit up and lean forward when it's time to make a strong point? How do you make your point? Professional speakers know how persuasive if not downright contagious a message containing excitement can be. Ask any good evangelist or motivational speaker.
What to do? Practice, practice, practice... Grab your partner and test your transmitting and receiving skills. In personal communications as in electronics, the word "static" creates interference.
