There are many elements that are integral to being an effective, or of even greater value, “irresistible communicator.” There are also several areas you need to continuously hone when it comes to your communication. For example, being aware of blind spots, reducing distractions, being willing to accept feedback, learning to improve your communication style, and of course enhancing your brand and overall impression.
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Let’s face it. Blind spots exist. Try as you may on your own, you’re never completely aware of how you're perceived as a communicator. Nobody is. This makes it difficult to discern what is missing in your effort to be a most effective communicator. Even when you ask others to give you feedback you may not get the entire picture. Sometimes people hold back information or deliver it in a way that is difficult to translate into action. That’s why adding assessments to your sources of feedback is critical to success in becoming an irresistible communicator.
The truly effective assessments are based on large sample sizes. The creators observe many participants so that they're able to meld together patterns that quite often are not apparent to the naked eye or even the most attentive observer. They explore relevant elements of success and frequently offer an anonymous space for others to share honest opinions and evaluation that you may not have gleaned through conversation. Individual assessments that are used in coaching dig deep into various dispositions, strengths and weakness, and areas of opportunity. They hold up a mirror for self-reflection and intentional change and growth.
Give attention to distinct practices that can enhance your communication. Ask for feedback so you can get a better sense of who you are and who you are not. Encourage candid conversations. You’re so close to yourself that you're often just not aware of attitudes, thoughts or behaviors that interfere with your effectiveness. Remember, you have blind spots. And when you do, you put yourself in a better position for them to be reduced. In fact, you can obtain third party insight from psychologically validated assessments that provide valid and useful perspectives. Such insights can be pivotal in helping you become much more aware of who you are and for expanding your appreciation of what you need to work on to grow and excel.
This brings us to the Johari Window. Simply put, this tool created by psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955, is a framework you can use to understand more about your interpersonal communication and the ways in which it helps or hinders healthy interaction. It expands awareness, therefore allowing you to be more effective in your communication. This tool offers cues for creating transparency and receiving feedback from others. It is a useful model for discovering weaknesses and inadequacies in yourself and others, but just as equally, your collective strengths, interests, ambitions, goals, desires, and dreams. And when you share and receive such information with others trust is enhanced, communication improves, and a baseline for improving productive and beneficial collaboration is established.
The process of sharing, commonly described in the Johari Window as disclosure, about who you truly are at more than the superficial levels, engenders trust and makes it easier for people to be more confident and comfortable with you. Increasing your disclosure provides the safety and comfort for other people to be willing to share more comprehensively than they might otherwise, using the principle known as feedback.
By sharing much about yourself, your direction, aspirations and vulnerabilities, you lay the groundwork for those around you to do the same. When you ask questions of them about their interests, strengths, desires, constraints, or what limits them in their life and in the pursuit of their goals and dreams, they become more willing to share. This is a wonderful communication and collaboration approach, but it also helps you increase your bottom line—especially if you are in a leadership or sales roles.
Irresistible communication requires effort. And it also requires feedback and self-awareness. While it’s important to get direct feedback from those with whom you work—including customers—it’s also helpful to use resources such as validated assessments and coaching, to help you unearth your true self and your greatest potential. Starting right now, take a moment to utilize a validated assessment, get involved in self-reflection, and build on what you discover to become an irresistible communicator.
Share your results with your mentor, coach and your team. Invite those in your circle to do the same. Then continue to use these resources on a routine basis, not only to become an effective communicator, but to become an irresistible one.
I am dedicated to helping you become increasingly irresistible and financially invincible. Together, through intentional and achievable steps, we can make your future brighter than your today, build your confidence, build your wealth and give you the freedom you deserve, in your business and personal life. Today is your day. Let’s get started. Contact me here.