Mastering the art of effective communication is the key to success for association professional management.
As humans, there is one thing everyone has in common: the need to communicate. Regardless of who you are, what you do, or where you live, your existence depends on communication.
Master effective verbal and non-verbal communication by keeping the following tips in mind:
Don’t rush
It’s important to keep things brief, but not at the expense of getting your message across. Take the time to make sure people understand what you’re communicating.
Watch your body language (and your tone of voice)
Be aware of your posture, speak calmly, make eye-contact, etc.
Avoid filler words
Conversational crutches, such as “like”, “um”, “so”, etc. dilute your message.
No distractions
Stay focused. Put away the phone, resist checking email, etc.
Keep your message adaptable
Tailor your communication for your audience. A board of directors may require a different style than a group of youth volunteers.
Be specific and brief
Relay the necessary information and be quiet. No one likes to listen to someone ramble on, repeating the same information.
Listen and ask questions
Listening is just as important as speaking. Remember that communication is a two-way street.
Effective communication benefits everyone: you, your colleagues, and your organization.