Good day to you. In this block I will share with you tips on how to keep your speaking personal, from the book by Aletta Rochat, called Speak, Connect and Succeed, so that you will be able to connect, and eventually influence, persuade to enhance your effectiveness as a leader and build your reputation. So here is the points to make your speaking more personal.
- Use names as often as possible. Many personal development books speak about the validation and recognition of someone else. Everyone thrives on personal recognition. Please make this a habit, and it will show that you care.
- Personalize your messages and emails. Speak to the self-interest of the person or the team.
- Personal phone calls are powerful. Connect personally, not digitally.
- Hallmarks Cards are generic, don’t buy generic. Personalize your message to those you are addressing.
- Respond Personally to criticism and compliments. Making your critics heard will mostly relieve the tension, and you are validating them. It shows that you honor their opinion and are willing to hear them out. If you are volatile with your emotions, do not try and respond immediately; end the call and come back when you are in a calmer state of mind. Respond when you are at your best. Like compliments, thank them and tell them how you feel about receiving the compliment; this expression validates them.
- Build your influence and presence. Authentic, personal, and positive, Ask questions to gain insights (Points of connection), clues, challenges, attitudes, and capacity to attend to their duties. That would enable you to manage the conversation better. Your plan is to get that person on your side, doing what they need to do to support the greater team. Your challenge is to connect and then motivate and inspire them to take action.
I believe these tips are not that difficult to learn, and make part of your habit and eventually your lifestyle to become persuasive. Let me know what you think? Would you add more or even make it more simple? Do you have more suggestions for books to read on this Topic? Or maybe you would like to discuss this further. I would be honored to listen to your views, so please don’t hesitate to comment. Thank you for your time reading this blog, and I hope to hear from you soon.