Communicate Powerfully to Get What You Want
The most important skill you can develop is the ability to
consistently communicate powerfully. When you are confident
about your communication, you can easily ask for help picking up
the kids at school, a raise, even a date.
Use these Powerful Communication Commandments and your
communication will be more effective, create a receptive ear on
the part of your listener, and get the results you want.
Powerful Communication Commandments 1. EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO
YOURSELF EITHER SERVES YOU OR SABOTAGES YOU. Do you tell
yourself you can do it, do you tell yourself you deserve it or
do you tell yourself something different, something less
supportive? Turn those thoughts around and replace them with
positive self-talk.
2. KNOW YOUR DESIRED OUTCOME. Before you make a phone call or go
to a business meeting decide on your desired outcome. Then focus
on how to make it easy for the other party to give it to you.
3. ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY SPEECH FILLERS from your communication.
Fillers are words and phrases such as "umm, well, it is sort-a
like, its kind-a like." These take away from the message you
want to convey and instead convey a less effective message.
4. USE THE POWERFUL PAUSE. Do not be afraid to have a moment of
silence between sentences. A pause, prefacing a response to a
question holds the attention of the listener.
5. DO NOT INVALIDATE YOUR OWN COMMUNICATION. When you use the
word "but" it invalidates whatever thought proceeded it. Replace
it with "and."
6. PREPLAN YOUR POINTS TO MAKE Plan ahead of time the points you
want to make. Thinking out loud with your mouth running is
counter-productive.
7. ALWAYS ASK Do not wait for someone to make you an offer you
cannot refuse. Ask for what you want every time whether it is a
raise, a resource or recognition. Do not take "no" for an
answer. Remember no does not mean no, it means negotiate.
8. SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY As women we often hesitate to speak,
wondering if what we have to say will be well-received. We edit
ourselves instead of speaking up. Do not withhold a question, a
comment or a compliment.
9. POSITION YOURSELF POWERFULLY Be aware of your posture when
you speak. Slouching, tilting your head and crossing your arms
or legs diminishes the message. Stand up straight, shoulders
down, feet firmly planted and knees unlocked.
10. PROJECT YOUR PRESENCE Your voice is the herald that carries
your message. Speak from your diaphragm not your throat. Keep
the sound in the low to medium range. This projects authority.
Speak loudly enough to be easily heard. Breathe deeply and often.
The key to success for women in business is getting your point
across powerfully and professionally. Utilized these strategies
to get you the results you want. Remember, keeping your mouth
shut is beneficial only when riding a bicycle or standing under
the porch light in the summertime.