Strategies for Masterful Communication

According to Forbes, “One of the most important skills business professionals can master is communication.” A master communicator not only works to efficiently convey a message but also makes connections, builds relationships and drives growth.

Abe Minkara, who worked with Mark Cuban to close more than 100 deals on Shark Tank, knows firsthand how important it is to communicate effectively. On the Sunwest Communications podcast, “Reputation Matters,” he stated, “There’s a lot of deals in his portfolio and sometimes it was just a matter of a slight miscommunication that could create some contention. It’s just about clarifying the messaging and making sure everyone has all the information relevant to the situation so you can get back to more of a constructive conversation.” Minkara’s quote gives insight into the lack of productivity that may come from unclear conversations.

Here are some tips to improve communication tactics and ensure you are communicating clearly and accurately in business ventures.

1. Build Trust: When you communicate openly and honestly, it establishes credibility for your business, fostering long-term relationships.
2. Listen First: All great communicators are also great listeners. Listen and create a connection to someone else’s needs and wants so you can steer the conversation to ensure all points are made and acknowledged. Remember to recap what you heard.
3. Adapt to Audience: Master communicators must be able to modify style, tone and preference based on audience and platform. Prepare as much as you can as often as you can.
4. Emphasize Collaboration: Clearly articulate goals, expectations and strategies within teams and with external partners. When everyone is on the same page, productivity and innovation increase.
5. Instill confidence: Leaders who can convey their vision, expectations and values with clarity inspire confidence and commitment among their teams. A skilled communicator is adept at translating complex ideas into understandable terms. This skill is particularly valuable when dealing with diverse teams with varying levels of expertise. Additionally, effective communicators can deliver difficult messages with empathy and clarity.
6. Be efficient: In the fast-paced world of business, time is of the essence. Efficient communication is the stitch that ensures seamless operations and prevents misunderstandings that can lead to costly errors and misinterpretation. Clear communication also works to streamline the decision-making process, keeping project progression on track. This efficiency translates to a competitive advantage, allowing your business to stay agile and responsive in this ever-changing space.
7. Master the Screen: Whether a master communicator is leading a meeting, collaborating among various time zones or conveying ideas through digital channels, effective communication knows no boundaries. Be engaging and animated when possible, looking directly into the camera for several seconds at a time – when speaking and when listening. Pay close attention to pitch, volume and pace of speaking. Be aware of your body language and facial expressions even when others are speaking.

Conclusion

Whether you are cultivating relationships, leading a team, driving efficiency, emphasizing collaboration or navigating the ever-changing landscape, being a better communicator is the key to unlocking your full potential and the potential of your business.

Investing in personal and team communication skills will yield numerous benefits. To learn more about training opportunities through Sunwest, review our Spaeth Training methodology. Our custom courses are highly interactive and tailored to your most pressing need.