We live in the day of communication. CEO’s and Presidents do better if they are more preacher than managers. Leaders are no more effective than there ability to string words together. Effective parents are above average communicators as well.
Dr. Frank Luntz has written a very interesting book titled, “Words that Work.†I have reworked his twelve points on good communication for me and other church communicators. And of course parents as well.
Let me outline the 12 communication hot spots that will get you a hearing every time:
1. Common sense… People aren’t much into theory these days. And esoteric complexities (like this one) will put people off too.
2. Principled…. what do you stand for? What do you want them to know you stand for? This is one thing they are listening for.
3. Opportunity…. Giving people another shot at life will make you a hero. Never communicate without promoting an opportunity for greatness.
4. Community… people want to belong to something. Offer a membership to your world and a relationship that is fulfilling.
5. Convenience…makes things easy. Make listening easy. Make it short.
6. Main Street…forgets institutional or organizational concerns. What difference does it make to the main on the street?
7. Family…shows me how you love who I love and you’ll have my ear. How can you help me make my family work?
8. Future…the history of your organization means nothing. Tell me who can I can be in my future. Tell me the future is a friend.
9. Positive message…. people who are healthy today turn off negative messages. If you can’t say something good don’t say it.
10. Accountability…is ready to tell me why I should listen to you. Who do you listen to?
11. Respect…never talks down. People want to be fellow discoverers. They aren’t looking for a commander.
12. Solutions… people are up to their ears with problems. They want to hear solutions.
Every so often I find a set of statements that I want to absorb. This list is my new one. I have it tacked on my wall above my desk. And it will remain there until this list becomes second nature.
