There’s probably never been a more important time to know how to communicate well. Today, what you say can be captured on YOU TUBE and in writing (posted on Facebook, Twitter, in a blog). There, it can live forever – a record of your gaffes (and, yes, your successes), but what are people more likely to remember? Let’s face it – if you make a mistake, it will follow you as long as Google has it indexed. (Word is – that is a VERY long time.)So, what is the best response? Dig a hole, bury your head, pull the shades on the home and office and keep the door closed? No, there is a much better solution. The answer is to learn how to communicate in a way that advances your principles – your “brand.” Knowing that what you say can and will be used against you should compel your interest in improving your skills.
Good ideas and a vision are not enough. What would peanut butter and jelly be without bread? A messy snack. Communication skills are your career’s bread.
Think about it. How often have you seen a colleague’s ideas implemented, not because they were the best ideas, but because your colleague knew how to “sell it?” All you could do was scream silently – “NO – it will never work,” while everyone around the table, taken with a flashy PowerPoint deck and a suave delivery, nodded enthusiastically?
Historically, there have been cases when a good communicator may have changed the course of history. For example, Christopher Columbus had a hard sell. Everyone thought the world was flat and that he was crazy! Columbus had an idea and needed to move decision makers to action.
Ultimately, through storytelling, Columbus did convince Queen Isabella of Spain and her advisors that it was highly likely that there was a shortcut to the Indies. He outlined the need for a huge fleet of the best sailing ships to make the voyage. Funding proved difficult, but he received three ships; the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria.
The undeniable fact is that great communication is the key to getting great ideas implemented.
After completing the Communicate to Win workshop, you will have the most compelling argument and the best ideas. With this complete package, you will gain the tools necessary to guarantee that you have the best ideas and that you can present them confidently so you will WIN.
photo used by permission: Katrina Snaps