Communication Skills for Leaders Keys to Effective Interpersonal Communication Developing Connection Developing Energy Developing Credibility Developing Interaction

Believability Key to success of any presentation We sell ourselves through communication Communication skills: the greatest investment we can make

Cues to Believability Verbal:____% Vocal:____% Visual:____% Total: 100 %

Cues to Believability Verbal: 7 % Vocal: 38 % Visual: 55 % Total: 100 %

Believability Consistency = Believability – When verbal, vocal, and visual messages are inconsistent, visual cues are dominant Consistency + Energy = Impact – When words, voice, and delivery are integrated, they deliver a consistent message Emotional Connection – Connect with listeners emotions

First Brain, New Brain

First Brain: Limbic System – Instinctual, primitive – Emotional – Hunger, thirst, danger, sex, parenting – Common to animals New Brain: Cerebral Cortex – Intellectual, advanced – Rational – Thought, memory, language, creativity, planning, decision-making – Uniquely human

Believing what we like Likeability: a major component of trust Personality factor: a consistent predictor of presidential races Stanford study: three personal qualities can affect careers: – Outgoing, ascendant personality – Desire to persuade, talk, work – Need for power

Behavioral skills 1.Eye communication 2.Posture and movement 3.Gestures and facial expressions 4.Voice and vocal variety 5.Dress and appearance 6.Language, nonwords, and pauses 7.Listener involvement 8.Humor 9.The natural self

Four stages of learning 1.Unconscious incompetence 2.Conscious incompetence 3.Conscious competence 4.Unconscious competence 4L

Four stages of speaking 1.The nonspeaker 2.The occasional speaker 3.The willing speaker 4.The leader 4S

Reduces nervousness Increases confidence Focuses thoughts Motivates movement Hones ability to read audience Good Eye Communication

Eye Communication Objective: Connect with your listener Behavioral Objective: Look sincerely and steadily at another person

Keys to Eye Communication Five seconds Eye dart Slow blink Large groups Television

Improving Eye Communication Where Do You Look? Reinforce Five-Second Habit Increase Sensitivity Relieve Intimidation Analyze Yourself and Others Video Feedback Watch News Programs Practice One-on-One Practice with Paper Audience

Developing Energy Posture and Movement Gestures and Facial Expressions Voice and Vocal Variety

Posture and Movement Objective: Be aware of how you hold yourself physically Behavioral Objective: Stand tall and move naturally and easily Correct the tendency to slump

Keys to Effective Posture & Movement Stand Tall Watch Lower Body Ready Position Move

Improving Posture & Movement 1.See Yourself 2.Walk Away from the Wall 3.Do the Two-Step 4.Stand at Meetings

Gestures & Facial Expressions Objective: Be aware of what gestures and expressions communicate Behavioral Objective: Be relaxed and natural when you speak

Keys to Effectiveness Habits Nervous Gestures Over-exaggerate Smile Personality Factor Muscles No Phony Smiles

Improving Gestures & Expressions 1.Practice Gesturing 2.Count Nervous Gestures 3.Role-Playing 4.TV with No Sound 5.Test Smiles

Voice & Vocal Variety Objective: Command attention Behavioral Objective: Use your voice as a rich, resonant instrument

Effective Voice & Vocal Variety Energy 84% One Word Four Aspects Vocal Variety Dont Read

Improving Voice & Vocal Variety 1.The Right Word 2.Voice of the Company 3.Good & Bad 4.Record Yourself

Developing Credibility Dress & Appearance Language, Nonwords, & Pauses

Dress & Appearance Objective: Make a good first impression Behavioral Objective: Look appropriate to the environment

Effective Dress & Appearance 90% body covered by clothing Face and hair are where people look Most of us dress based on past habits

Improving Dress & Appearance 1.First TwoSeconds 2.Pick Five People 3.Nobody Will Tell You 4.Pick a New Outfit 5.See a Consultant 6.Research, Research, Research 7.Ask How You Look

Language, Nonwords, & Pauses Objective: Use language and pauses effectively Behavioral Objective: Use appropriate and clear language for your listeners

Effective Use of Language & Pauses Direct Language Vocabulary Jargon Pauses Replace Nonwords

Improving Language & Pauses 1.A New Word a Day 2.Dictionary 3.Jargon 4.Pauses 5.Eliminate Nonwords

Developing Interaction Listener involvement Humor The Natural Self

Listener Involvement Objective: Cultivate listener involvement in many ways Behavioral Objective: Maintain the active interest of each person

Effective Listener Involvement Engage listeners with swirls: – Style Drama Eye Communication Movement Visuals – Interaction Questions Demos Samples/Gimmicks – Content Interest Humor

Objective: Develop your humor skills Behavioral Objective: Create a bond between yourself and your listeners

Effective Use of Humor No Jokes Stories & Anecdotes Humanization Personality Factor Smile

Improving Your Use of Humor 1.What Makes You Laugh 2.Make Someone Laugh 3.Think Funny 4.Gain through Feedback 5.Watch Others 6.Humor Journal

The Natural Self Objective: Work to be yourself in all circumstances Behavioral Objective: Be authentic

Keys to Being Your Natural Self Learn Like a Juggler – Master one skill at a time – Start by acknowledging natural strengths – Work on your weaknesses Make It a Lifetime Process – New habits, old habits: good and bad – New behavioral skills

Discovering Your Natural Self Ask Five People to Rank You on the Nine Behavioral Skills Ask Three People to Fill Out the Coaching Feedback Sheet