Effective communication lies at the very core of leadership. A great leader knows how to persuade, convince, and inspire. From the habit you should keep in check to some ideas to master video calls, here’s how you can become a better communicator this 2021.
Stop Checking Your Phone
That nonverbal cues are extremely important for meaningful communication is conventional wisdom by now. What we don’t seem to grasp is that when we keep checking our smartphones while we talk, we send all the wrong signals: disinterest, lack of focus, and lack of consideration for the other person.
Let’s face it: from news notifications to social media, smartphones can be outright addictive and it’s always tempting to check your phone instead of facing a mildly awkward social situation. While this is a complex problem that has come to define our era, the solution is simple: make it a point of putting away your phone while you talk with your colleagues. As the old saying goes: Out of sight, out of mind.
Be Mindful of Your Own Emotions
Your emotions can make or break effective communication. Channel them properly and they can help you get your point across more effectively; let them take control and all the bets are off.
Emotions will be particularly important this 2021. Nerves are frayed due to the tensions created by the coronavirus pandemic, and you want to take every step to avoid taking it out on your colleagues. Be aware of your own emotions and focus on your breath whenever you feel swamped by them. Sometimes, the easiest way to make an emotion more manageable is to distract yourself. For example, you can look around you and name five things you can see from where you are.
Master Virtual Communication
While it’s possible that the effects of the pandemic will begin to subside at some point during 2021, virtual communication is here to stay, so no businessperson should brush it aside as a temporary solution they can afford to neglect.
Take the time to reflect upon your experience with virtual communication over the last several months. What things did you get right from the beginning? What aspects need more work? Here are some tips to get you started:
- What logistical steps you can take to make your communications more effective? (For example, adopting a more organized approach to scheduling your calls or meetings).
- Take the time to explore all the features of the video-conference platform you use more often (Here you’ll find a bunch of Zoom tutorials and you will find here the full, official course for Google Meet).
- Identify any changes you can make to improve your experience and that of the people you talk with. For example, consider investing in a high-quality microphone if you feel you need it, or adopt a policy of closing doors or windows when you are on a video-conference.
More Tips and Resources
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our work habits in unexpected ways. These are some previous posts you can check out for more ideas to deal with the challenges of the “new normal.”
- Beware of this scam during the holidays
- 3 Ways to help your team overcome the holiday blues
- 4 Ideas for entrepreneurs to take it easy as parents
- How to conduct successful webinars
- Adapt to new consumer trends with these ideas and tools
At the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to keep you up to date with the most relevant developments in business management and administration so you and your company can take advantage of new opportunities. Contact us by email (info@pomonachamber.org) telephone (909-622-1256), social media, or click on this link to join and start enjoying the benefits of membership today.
