Do you know what trait all great communicators share?
They’re fantastic listeners
Great communicators listen to the individual(s) that they are communicating with.
One of best communicators of our time, Larry King, used to only script two or three questions for each interview.
So how did he fill that 60 minutes of air time every day?
He would actively listen to the guests of his show, digest to their responses and react with additional follow up questions based upon their initial thoughts & answers.
In his book How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere: The Secrets of Good Communication, King shared four bits of advice to become a better communicator when having an in-person conversation:
- Make Eye Contact: Don’t get distracted with your cell phone or shiny objects! Great communicators look their conversation partner in the eyes when speaking with them
- Lean Forward: Try leaning in on one elbow when speaking with your conversation partner to show that you they have your 100% undivided attention
- Use Silence to Your Advantage: When there is a natural pause in the conversation, try using silence to your advantage to encourage your conversation partner to continue with their thought
- Hand Gestures: The Italians were really on to something! Similar to silence, use hand gestures to encourage your conversation partner to continue speaking their mind
But what if you aren’t in the same room?
If you aren’t in the same room with your conversation partner, try the following tips to become a better communicator:
- Use Post It Notes: Tape a post it note to your computer or telephone that says ‘LISTEN’ or ‘SHUT IT’ … Every time you attempt to speak out over your conversation partner, look at the note to keep yourself quiet
- Use Call Tracking Software: Try using a conference software like UberConference that delivers a speaking report to your inbox every time you get off a phone. This will show you who is speaking the most during your phone calls.
- Ask More Questions: Regardless if you’re in person or on the phone, one sure fire way to guarantee you will listen more is … ask more questions!
What tips help you be a better communicator?
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Aside from being the CEO at MKG Media Group, Mike is a dark beer aficionado with a healthy appetite for travel and pushing personal boundaries.
A proud graduate of Washington State University, Mike currently calls San Francisco home.