Communication

Good communication skills are essential to lead yourself and influence others. Poor communication causes pain, conflict, loss of productivity and profit.

Listen to a  podcast on Communication Skills.

To win the communication game you must know and apply the rules of the game; and the #1 rule of communication is that -  All communication occurs inside a frame.

A communication frame gives the listener reference points to know how to handle the information they hear from you. A communication frame points the listener’s mind in a particular direction and when used correctly will create trust and remove misunderstandings.

Any time we say “In terms of …” we set the boundaries of the discussion and hence the frame. Often two or more people in conflict are actually discussing different topics or perspectives, using “in terms of…” allows us to focus on the specific topic or to challenge people who have gone off topic.

For example:

• “In terms of reaching a decision in the next hour, let me make this point…”
• “In terms of us working together in this team, how would you like me to interpret your behaviour?”
• “In terms of our stated budget, do you think this is a wise purchase?”

Here are some other simple examples of communication frames and how to use them:

The Workshop Frame:
“Just work shopping – what if we did…x”. This frame is great for putting ideas out; it reduces reactions because it sets the frame that it is ok for the other person to give input.

The Sharing Frame:
“I’m just sharing, this is the way I feel about… x”. This frame allows you to share your feelings without the other person needing to take your emotional state personally.

The ‘What if’ Frame:
“I know we have never done this before, but what if we did?” This is a great frame for setting for pushing the boundaries and creative thinking.

There are, of course, frames that you already use and many more you could learn to use. The frames we use in language often reflect our frames of mind, do you have a ‘can do’ frame’? Or do you operate from a ‘can’t do’ frame?

Training yourself to become aware of your frames of mind and frames of speech is a fundamental of self-leadership and using the technology of Neuro Semantics (an evolution of NLP) we can set frames for great relationships, health and even wealth.

Want to know more? For Communication Skills Workshops in Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, India or the Middle East  contact us.

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Increasing sales is one of the key actions that is going to help this client weather the recession and profit afterward. After identifying the urgent need to train trainers to equip the sales team with product knowledge and values based selling skills across 14 countries, the business development manager told me, “Yes, we need this but I was told yesterday that there is a freeze on discretionary spending.”

I wanted to yell, “Since when is learning discretionary?”

Of course, I kept my cool and empathised with situation; he knew his company needed to improve their skills and even listed for me the reason why, but his hands were tied (for now).

Now whether you are part of big organisation, or a consultant like me, or are currently laid off, I have some unsolicited advice for you:

NOW is the time to learn, NOW is the time to up skill.
NOW is the time to INVEST in YOUR SELF.
Yes, I know there is a recession, or as I like to call it a “financial adjustment”; but being pessimistic and doing nothing will not get you through it. The media is having a FEAR frenzy and whipping up a storm of bad news, which will create a self-fulfilling prophesy, but you and I have a choice not to participate.
Here’s how…

1. Read – read in your domain. Become an expert on your chosen topic, experts are always in demand.
2. Attend seminars/workshops – listen to experts and as you do think about how you can apply the knowledge to improving your situation.
3. Sell – sell yourself, let people know what you can do and that you are keen to do it, now or when the opportunity arises.
4. Be flexible – offer people different ways to reward you for your effort or store up credits for when times change.
5. Connect – find out who is doing what and how they are doing it. Join LinkedIn or Facebook groups.
6. Contribute – write articles, volounteer, be seen.
7. Add value – yes you may be looking for a paycheck but in this credit crunch nobody is going to pay you unless they see the value. Value first – get paid second.

And number 8, is be patient – this too will pass, so be patient. This is the beginning of the year of the OX so keep plodding forward and you will reach your goal.

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