Work/Life Success Strategies

Igniting the heart of your company

Master Certified Coach

In This Issue:

Success Strategy: Communication is an Important Key to Success

Edie's Book Club: How to Win Friends and Influence People

Telebridge Rental

About Spirit of Small Business

Quote:

Communication is an Imporant Key to Success

I've worked with family-owned businesses for quite some time, and one of their biggest challenges is their internal communication.  They struggle with the dynamics of being both business professionals and family members.  Each family-owned company has its own personality, its own set of values, and its own goals for success. Family-oriented issues like strong personalities and trust must work hand-in-hand with the business issues.  In working with these businesses, I have explored various communication strategies and have discovered that all conflicts boil down to the Anthony Robbins quote noted on the left. 

Communication is a key to success in both business and personal issues.  Consequently, understanding the basics of good communication becomes important to each and every one of us. Here are 6 tips to make your communication easier:

Tip #1:  Let's begin with the words you use.  Do you fully understand the meaning of each word, or have you adapted a meaning that works for you?  Very few of us walk around with a dictionary in hand, which means the latter is usually true.  Keep in mind when having a conversation that the words you are using may have a different meaning for the other person.  Testing understanding is always a powerful tool in the communication tool box.  Reflect back to your conversation partner what you thought you heard and see if you are in the same playing field. 

Tip #2:  Effective communication involves asking questions to gain information about what is happening.  Using powerful questions becomes another tool for the communication tool box.  Practice asking questions using different tones of voice and using slightly different words.  You'll notice how each person responds, and you will be able to use that information to help you be more effective in getting your message across.

Tip #3:  Learn when you are crying for help in your conversations.  Does it come from frustration, anger, uncertainty, or even a need to be in control?  Begin by catching yourself in the moment and reminding yourself that there are other ways to communicate.  Practice with baby steps, if needed, to communicate effectively without going to a desperate state.

Tip #4: As you become aware of your methods of crying for help, you must become aware of what it takes to communicate from a place of trust, respect and love.  Awareness is the biggest part of change.  When we know what we are doing, then we can change our habits and behaviors in our interactions with others.  Create your own comfort level for embracing change. Some people can do this cold-turkey and others need more encouragement.  Love yourself enough to use your personal touch on yourself.  The saying, "Kindness begins at home." also applies to you. How kind are you to yourself?

Tip #5:  Obviously, none of this is possible without a good dose of effective listening.  Listen to yourself and to those with whom you are communicating.  Listen with objectivity for all that is being said.  The skill in doing this is not always easy -- I would consider it a learned behavior.  When you master this skill and incorporate it into your daily life, this behavior will bring you many dividends.

Tip #6:  Use your intuition as an active part of your communication.  You'll discover that your intuition is never wrong, but learning to pay attention to it is a learned behavior.  Society trains us to use our ego more often then not.  Yet, we are born with strong intuition and learning to use it will not only change your communication but your life as well. 

I do hope these tips will be useful to you whether in business or in your personal life adventures.  As simple as they may seem, they are life-changing.  The more mistakes you make, the deeper the learning.  Clear communication is an art, and like fine wine, it gets better with age.  Have a great month!!  Please continue to send in your questions and comments.  We love to hear all about your progress.

Coaching Challenge

This month, begin by noticing your personal communication with yourself and with others.  How often are you crying for help?  How often are you expressing love?  The goal is to shift the words you use to uplift your actions and increase your momentum.  Communication is your key to greater success.

Edie's Book Club

Email

Telebridge Rental
 

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About Spirit of Business
 

Work/Life Success Strategies is written and produced by Edie Pereira Hulbert of Spirit of Business. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know!

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