Reading: Characteristics Of Good Communicators (Video Slides)

Characteristics Of Good Communicators

Henry Reyenga

Animated

People who are the best communicators communicate with their whole being. They're animated, expressive, interesting to watch. 

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 43). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Vocal Range

All of us have a much broader vocal range than we realize. We must clear our minds and avoid concentrating on what we can't do. We should be open to what we can do.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 45). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Emotional Truth In Your Voice

The voice, like the smile, is shaped by a combination of muscles and emotions. My experience is that you can improve your voice more by working on emotional expression than on mechanical drills.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 45). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Absorb/Projection

Stop for a second. Absorb what's going on. What's the mood of the room, the crowd-- are they down, up, happy, expectant? Read what people are feeding back to you. Are they skeptical or eager?

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 48). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Interesting Language 

Use comparisons, examples, illustrations, and anecdotes.   

Use familiar, concrete language; avoid general and abstract wording.   

Use "fireplug” words (short, bright, utilitarian).   

Use picturesque, image-producing words.   

Rely on simple subject-verb order.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 49). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. Taken from Robert O. Skovgard, editor of The Executive Speaker

Interesting Language 

Stay with one idea per sentence.    

Use no more than one dependent clause per sentence.

Make frequent use of transition words.   

Use conversational language (first-person pronouns, contractions, short words, sentence fragments, simple sentences, questions, action verbs, personal anecdotes). 

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 49). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. Taken from Robert O. Skovgard, editor of The Executive Speaker

Eyes In Big And Small Groups (1)

Look at individual people as you speak. In the beginning of the speech, look at one person who has a friendly, warm face, because that will help put you at ease. But as the speech progresses, look at small groups of people all through the audience and continue to talk. Do this purposefully. 

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 50). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Eyes In Big And Small Groups (2)

As you move from small group to small group-- or from individual to individual-- in the audience, linger for a few seconds and talk just to that person or just to that small group of people as if you were having a "miniconversation” with them. This should not be done in any kind of a predictable pattern, but in a random fashion, so that it doesn't look staged.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 50). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Eyes In Big And Small Groups (3)

Again, common sense prevails. The eyes should be used when speaking to a large group the same way they would be used when speaking to a small group. When you're sitting in a room with four or five other people, from time to time you glance at one or the other person and carry on part of the conversation with that person. It's exactly the same when you're on your feet in front of a large crowd.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 50). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Communicate In Tune With Feeling

In every communications situation-- one-on-one or in a group-- you should be asking yourself, "What am I feeling here?” Whenever I'm confused in a business situation, I generally get very quiet, sit back, and ask myself, "How do I feel about what's going on here?” If I'm in a conversation with one person, I might ask myself, "How do I feel about this person?” The emphasis is first on my feelings.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (pp. 51-52). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Be In Tune With Others

You've probably been in a situation where you've read tension between two other people. Although they weren't even speaking directly to each other, much less arguing overtly, you sensed hostility.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 53). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Be In Tune With Others

We all have the capability to read, or sense, what's happening with others. This ability is every bit as accurate and reliable as the sensory abilities of the eyes and ears, and it is often more important in forming your final assessment of what's going on.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 53). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Do Not Talk Too Much

He was so boring that I left the room three different times. Each time I came back, he was still talking. He was so unwilling to listen and so unaware of what was going on around him that I could have gone out to lunch and he would have just kept on going....A good rule of thumb is to listen 60 percent and talk 40 percent of the time.

Ailes, Roger (2012-02-22). You Are the Message (p. 54). Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Talking/Listening Assessment

Ask five people to let you know what your talking listening ratio is perceived to be by them.

Do you talk too little, too much, or just right? 

Proverbs 15:23   A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!