Have you ever experienced poor communication? I bet you have……. We all have. Becoming a next level communicator is all about knowing where you are at and adding more tools to your Communication tool box.
For example you may have a good grasp on your needs as a Communicator so the next level would be to better understand your partner for example. Perhaps you are a Manager so the next level would be to understand the needs of your team as Communicators.
One of the foundation problems is that most people do not know their needs as a Communicator, if you don't know what you need how on earth can you ask for it?
The best Communicators know what makes them tick, they know their Communication DNA, what makes them who they are, what makes them tick.
Next level Communicators then understand how to recognise the needs of other people and adapt their style to ensure they are understood.
So, How can you understand your Communication DNA, then take your communication to the next level? If Communication DNA is a new term for you, check out this video specifically about this concept, it will explain it fully for you.
The foundation skill you need to master for yourself as a Communicator is to first understand your Communication DNA and what that means for you in your key relationships. Then to understand the DNA of the others you are in relationship with as Communication is a two way street.
For resources to help you Build on your Communication skills you can;
Learn your Communication DNA - uncover the uniqueness that makes you, you
Harness your Communication strengths - learn to understand and Harness your strengths as a Communicator. This course will help you to understand your strengths, your needs, your challenges, your stress response, and what to do about it to improve your communication.
Become and Enlightened Communicator - take a deeper look at the other Communication DNA styles to improve Communication and close the Communication Gap.
If you are struggling with Difficult people, take our course that will teach you how to harness your strengths and build a foundation of understanding to deal more effectively with this common problem.
To be a truly great communicator you need to be able to ensure that your message is heard and understood each and every time. The tricky part is that each communication style hears messages differently and has different motivations.
In addition, Communication is not taught in schools, not at university, certainly not in business. After completing a behavioural science and psychology degree I still did not know what my needs were as a communicator.
Where did you learn how to speak up? Apologise? Listen, give effective feedback, have a difficult conversation, motivate someone different from you? Listen to someone and understand even if they are completely different to you?
If you don't know your needs, then how can you know the needs of others?
Personally we are attracted to the opposite communicators than us. So if you are a reserved quiet communicator that craves harmony, you are more likely to be attracted to a driven loud, outspoken confident communicator.
People we have the least in common with as a communicator we choose to spend our life with. Now this is wonderful when you understand the strengths and difference and see your differences as complimentary, but if you don't understand each other, you are heading down a very painful road.
There are 4 Communication styles and we each have all four but have stronger preferences in 1 or more. For example;
The Powerful Communicator is driven like to take control, they are seen as a driver and is motivated by results.
The Playful Communicator tells stories is distracted and gets easily bored. They are story tellers, use many words to explain a quick point, and are seen as a talker. They need to be liked.
The Patient Communicator is quiet, agrees even if they don't agree, and will not get involved in any perceived conflict, they are seen as a observer. They crave harmony.
The Perfectionist Communicator is into details, can be outrageously organised loves to do lists and is a neat person. They are seen as an analyser and need to be Right.
Just imagine the chaos when you don’t understand each other?
It is so common as we are not taught this is schools, many of us learn this after having gone through a loss or trauma in our relationships.
To take your skills to the next level you first need to know your starting point and then follow this road map;
Understand your own Communication DNA
If you can work on these steps you are well on your way to being an exceptional Communicator and every relationship you have personal or professional will benefit.
If you are struggling, feeling overwhelmed, believe me I have been there before, I have struggled, I have been misrepresented, confused people, been confused, offended people and not understood why until I understood my Communication DNA.
If you relate to this, what can you do? Follow the roadmap above to expand on your communication skills . Know your strengths and know the strengths of those on your team, learn what makes you who you are, what makes you tick, your strengths and challenges. Check out our Online Learning Academy, designed to support you to take your Communication to the next level.
If you would like to understand yourself as a Communicator and learn your strengths then perhaps you may like to read The Enlightened Communicator, available for you to review at your own pace.
If you would like to know more about how to learn what your Communication DNA we can work with you to assist you to understand exactly what it is that makes you tick. We can also help you understand what makes others tick and how to get the best out of your relationships. Interested? You can get more information here.
You can also get in touch via our website, and Facebook so please join the conversation, we would love to hear from you!
Until next time, Care Connect and be a Courageous Communicator
Let's change the world we live in one conversation at a time.