Communication – The Heart of All Personal & Business Activity

By Tracey Mathers
TM Mentoring

One of my most favourite words and something that I believe when we do well, we will have greater success in business and life, is the word “communication.” People say that they understand it, but often they don’t really understand the power of it when used effectively.

As a child I’m not sure if you ever played Chinese Whispers. You started with one person, who whispers a story to the person next to them, who then whispers to the next person, and so on. It’s usually done in a group of 6-10 people and the end person, the final person that gets told the story, then stands up and relays what the story was.

Usually what happens is, the story ends up being completely different, completely out of text, and nothing compared to what the original story was.

So, if our message is really important make sure you deliver it yourself, so that it comes directly from the person who understands it best.

Communication is the heart of all personal and business activity, and ultimately its success. If you have a team you look after, to make sure they are working on the same team as you, you need to be sure they have a clear understanding of the big picture with the overall result you are all working towards very clear in their mind.

It’s the old saying, “You can’t sell a secret.” If you know inside your own self what it is that you’re trying to say and do and you can’t put that out there properly, then chances are it doesn’t get done properly.

To have successful communication, there’s four key points that I believe that you need to have.

1. Effective listening Skills:  If you’re always over-talking everybody and you’re not actually listening to what’s happening, you miss key learnings.

2. Great and powerful Delivery: Learn to watch people and read their faces whether they’re understanding what you’re saying or not people’s body language will give you a clear indication if they’re getting it or not

3. Be very Clear:  People need to have it spelled out to them, use your words wisely. You may have to change your words to get your point across.

4. Have you been Understood: It’s a good idea to ask the question back of the person. If you’re trying to implement something new, ask them to repeat the plan, so that you know that they have understood that message clearly. This will save so much time and money, it gets it right the first time, and builds confidence.

The effectiveness of communication when you break it up, if you had a pie chart: 7% are spoken words, 38% is the tone of your voice, and 55% is the non-verbal. According to Communication Theorist Wilbur Schramm back in 1955, “Communication is the process of establishing a commonness or a oneness of thought between a sender and a receiver.

Learn to be an effective communicator for greater business and personal growth.

Tracey Mathers
TM Mentoring

Tracey Mathers is a trusted advisor to those wanting to build and maintain success in business. With retail running through her veins, third generation retailer Tracey Mathers has been continuing the family tradition for over 25 years. As the Grandaughter of the founder of Mathers Shoes it was inevitable she would become a leading retailer in her field. Having had up to six stores she has learnt to deal with all areas of running a successful business.

With 35 years experience in both the retail and the corporate world Tracey has a wealth of knowledge in all different aspects that she passes on through her work as a professional advisor, speaker and mentor.

I am so excited to be asked to share my 35 years business learnings with you all. Thanks for having me as part of this powerful and fabulous SHINE Business Women Tribe. I hope you enjoy my first article, I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months. TM xxxxx