Becoming an effective communicator*
About the Author
Neil Flett CEO
As founder of Rogen International and now a director of RogenSi, Neil is one of Australia’s most experienced communication advisers, with 38 years’ experience in journalism, public affairs, training and consulting. He has worked with leading politicians, chief executives, board members and senior managers of large organisations in industries such as professional services, media, consumer goods, IT, chemicals, petroleum, manufacturing and retail. In 1993 Neil wrote many of the speeches and coached all the presenters for the successful Sydney 2000 Olympics Games bid presentation in Monte Carlo. He subsequently became a communication adviser to the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games.
By
Neil Flett CEO
Step 8 – Delivery is critical
rogenSi surveys show that more than 53% of the impression made by any communication is made by HOW you do it. What you say is actually only 7%!
Of the delivery skills, eye contact is the most critical. A high level of eye contact provides the connection between you the listeners. So don’t talk to the back wall, or to your notes. Talk to individual listeners in the audience and hold eye contact at the end of important thoughts.
It is natural to gesture and so gesture. Use your hands as visual aids, to emphasize and describe. Don’t remain fixed in the one spot, but move with purpose. Go to the screen to point out a fact; go close to the audience to say something especially important; sit down, stand up and walk to each side of the room, but do it for a reason.
Use the pause to emphasize both what you just said and what you are about to say. It is a powerful tool! Modulate the voice in both volume and speed to provide interest and again to emphasize.
If you haven’t been trained in presenting, get yourself trained.
Step 9 – Review
And the final step is to review your communication when you have finished. Ask yourself how you went, and ask others. Then next time, make sure you continue doing what worked; and stop doing what didn’t.
If you follow these steps, you are on the way to being an effective communicator.
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