Everyone says it, but not everyone does it
Popular sayings such as ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’, ‘silence grants’, ‘he who speaks much, errs much; he who is wise restrains his tongue’, ‘you are the master of your silence and a slave to your words’ … express how important it is to know how to communicate.
Communicating is getting a message across to our audience and ensuring that it is understood. Sometimes we communicate with words, other times with gestures, actions, images… or with silence.
You can say a lot of words and really say nothing at all. Getting our message across to the person it is aimed at is an arduous task.
Being aware of what we want to communicate
Being clear about our message and being aware of what we want to convey in order to make it possible for it to be understood. There is no point in expressing thousands of words if there is no clear message that connects with our audience. Can you imagine going to a 2-hour talk on healthy eating and coming out the same as when you went in, only even hungrier? It is clear that, in this case, the speaker has not been able to craft their message well and it has certainly made you feel like you have wasted your time. It has nothing to do with the main purpose.
The superficiality of words
Often, words become mere background noise. We say things without really thinking about their meaning or the impact they may have on others. That is why I insist so much on being aware of what we say. And in the case of misunderstanding, to be able to clarify it from an open perspective where both positions are considered. In this way, unnecessary arguments or offences will be avoided.
It is the intention that counts
Communicate with the intention of connecting with the other person. Connect with the words, being consistent with our body language so as not to give a contradictory message. It is not at all convincing to say to your co-worker ‘it’s okay, we all make mistakes’ when our tone is abrupt or our expression is frowning and we also have our fists clenched.
Be quiet and you will be heard, listen and you will learn
Active listening is essential to effective communication. Only in this way can we grasp the emotions and the intentions behind them. This leads to understanding and therefore to a more relaxed and transparent conversation between the participants.
Give your ‘touch’ to communication
There is nothing more effective in communication than conveying honesty. Be true to yourself and give it your personal style. It is better to be imitated than copied. That way you will be authentic and have a greater impact on others.
Communication in the digital age
Manuscripts are a thing of the past and thanks to technology, we have evolved to other means of communication to connect, such as social networks, emails, chats… This leads to faster dissemination (we find out about an event via WhatsApp before we do on the news) and also to a greater risk of misinterpretation (we read with our own personal intonation) and an abysmal amount of fake news or hoaxes.
Seduce your audience with your way of communicating
Yes, you read that right. Seduce. Not in the style of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ but in a way that engages. And it’s not enough just to attract attention with a claim, a logo, an image…. we have to engage our target group. In my day-to-day work, I have to seduce the Sales Department. Marketing is responsible for presenting the benefits of a product or service, communication transmits it through different channels and the sales department offers it with fervent credibility, otherwise the sale will not be guaranteed to the customer.
Being able to unify in a single format the communication that affects the salesperson is key to facilitating their day-to-day work. Product news, changes in procedures, events, sponsorships, news… everything that helps the sales rep be the best and most informed they can be and that has an impact on new business opportunities and possible sales, in other words, achieve their objective! And it must be in a cohesive way, so that with a single click, they can keep up to date with everything.
And continuing with my seduction of sales reps. How can we make internal training so attractive that it hooks them? Well, by innovating. Innovation is totally linked to communication and the more disruptive, different, novel we are when presenting mandatory training, the more wow effect we will achieve. Netflix knows this well!
In short, solid internal communication in the commercial area facilitates the flow of information, which translates into better customer service and greater sales success. It’s a win-win for everyone!
My opinion
‘Everyone says it. But not everyone conveys it’. Communication is an art that requires practice and reflection. It is not just about filling the air with words, but about creating meaningful and authentic connections. By striving to convey our messages with intention, empathy and authenticity, we can enrich our relationships and contribute to a more understanding and connected world. So, the next time you find yourself in a conversation, remember that every word counts. Actively listening and being aware of how we express ourselves can make a difference in how others perceive our message. At the end of the day, true communication goes beyond what we say; it’s about how we make others feel. So, go ahead and be a conscious communicator! Every interaction is an opportunity to build bridges and foster a deeper understanding.
