The lights are on you. There is a teleprompter in front of you and you are talking to no one.
This was my experience recently in a professional recording studio as I had the opportunity to record videos for something I am a part of as a faculty member with the Maxwell Leadership Team. As I look back on that experience a few keys to communicating effectively come to mind.
These keys apply whether recording in a studio for a small or no audience, in front of a few people, or in front of a large audience.
Preparation
“You cannot deliver what you have not developed.” John C. Maxwell
The above quote comes from John Maxwell’s new book The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication. Leading up to the days in the studio I was spending even more time preparing. When we are communicating the key to our confidence is in our preparation. The bigger the meeting or the shorter the time we have, the more preparation we will need.
When preparing we want to consider these ideas that John Maxwell provides:
- What do we want them to know?
- What do we want them to do?
These are two questions that will help us gather our thoughts. I will address two other questions in the next section.
Presentation
I had the opportunity to start over when I made a mistake because my mistakes could be edited. I was stressed about how I appeared for this which is not like me. Leading up to the trip I had to get input on the proper clothing to wear.
In the first three seconds, someone sees us they make a judgment. Whether we like it or not, that judgment is influenced by how we present ourselves. Do we appear confident and professional? Do we seem credible? These are questions people are asking.
As we look at presentation we must consider John’s other two questions:
- What do we want them to see?
- What do we want them to feel?
These questions are not about us but what we can give to the people we are communicating with. People are moved to action by what they see in front of them or in their imagination. Not only that but action is influenced strongly in the beginning by feeling. How we present ourselves impacts how we can influence them. Our enthusiasm, energy, and the overall presentation should be considered.
Pronunciation
I realize this seems elementary. What I mean by this is how clearly I communicated mattered in the studio. Every sound was amplified. Did I present with confidence or was I sloppy in how I communicated? The words I chose and how I spoke them would forever be recorded. For that reason I had to not only prepare thoroughly as I mentioned but also communicate clearly.
When we communicate in front of others how we speak sends a message. Not only is the message easier to understand, but the quality of our pronunciation affects the impact of what we say. Part of that is the inflection we use and what we emphasize.
Examine these three areas. Which one of them do you need to improve on to be an even more effective communicator as a leader? Work one one area this week and continue to grow your communication so you grow your influence as a leader. Lead Well.
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