In business, some of your most valuable assets are the way you speak, write, and exercise your interpersonal skills. However, the top communicators, those who have established a reputation for success in business and getting things done, share several common characteristics that set them apart as expert writers, speakers, listeners and other communicators.
1. Thinking Strategically
The top communicators develop a plan for creating and sending messages that achieve results. They do so by taking an audience-centric approach. They analyze the needs of the audience and develop a message that is compatible with the knowledge, experience, cultural expectations, linguistic capabilities, motives and interests of the audience and by establishing their own realistic expectations. Expert communicators use this information to develop highly persuasive and influential messages that inspire the audience to take a particular action. Some techniques that are necessary for persuasion include identifying benefits important to the audience, potential audience objections and information the audience will find important to gain their trust in your claims.
2. Being Professional
We all have a perception of what it means to be professional. Some of the most commonly cited traits of professionalism include appearance, demeanor, timeliness, competence, etiquette, poise, organization, responsibility, and maturity. When presenting, professional communicators are concise, friendly and clear, and they act in an appropriate manner that meets the ideals of ethical and professional standards.
3. Being Flexible
Professional communicators recognize when changes in strategy are necessary to achieve goals. Then they must be flexible enough to adapt to business, social, governmental, technological and environmental changes. Further, our global business environment that encompasses people from diverse languages, cultures, experiences and places requires that communicators constantly adapt their work philosophies to work successfully and productively with others. In some cases, this means accommodating culturally diverse people with professional translators. In other instances, it may mean profiling unfamiliar groups to gauge their unique requirements and expectations. By understanding the audience and customizing your message to their needs, you will be in a better position to achieve your goals.