Episode 129 - Polishing Communication Skills
Leslie Charles teaches communication training. She tells how she was arguing with her husband. He said to Leslie, “You’re shouting!” Leslie yelled back, “Of course I’m shouting. I don’t know what I’m talking about!” Not being able to articulate what you want to say can be excruciatingly frustrating. Often you know what you want to say but don’t know how to get it out.
How can you become more articulate? In a word: practice.
Here are 4 smart ideas:
Remind yourself to stay calm in an argument and to speak from facts not emotion.
Plan to participate in discussion at every meeting you attend – even if it’s for the zoning commission! To get past fears and feeling self-consciousness, speak up at meetings and other public places. If the idea puts a knot in your stomach than before you get to the meeting I recommend you prepare 3 questions to ask.
Get yourself appointed to head a committee. You’ll be forced to interact with others on a focused topic. And you’ll be better for it.
Get a part in local theater group. Riley was one of the shyest people I had ever met. But what a performer when he got on stage! He even won awards for expressing himself with depth and passion. It changed his life and gave him the feelings of confidence and self-expression that he later duplicated in his business life.
The best way to polish how well you express yourself is by practicing how you express yourself.