By Pamela Jett, CSP
As a communication skills expert, I am often asked what exactly does a communication skills speaker do? The answer is fairly simple, I work with individuals, organizations, teams, associations, and groups to improve their productivity by improving communication. I am fond of reminding people that “communication is like a thread which runs through a pearl necklace. It is invisible. Yet without it, everything would fall apart.” I firmly believe that communication is the most important skill set any professional possesses. Good communication (or poor communication) can make or break a career, a team, a family. Most professionals agree that about 80% of problems at work result from poor communication and most individuals will admit that poor communication is the root cause of many relationship breakdowns. We all know that communication matters!
However, while most of us are aware that good communication is vital to success, many of us choose to learn our communication skills through trial and error. Essentially, we are enrolled in the “school of hard knocks” when it comes to improving our communication abilities. And the “school of hard knocks” comes with a pretty hefty tuition bill: lost credibility, damaged relationships, lost opportunities, and team dysfunction. Savvy people recognize that while the “school of hard knocks” is a valid way to learn, it can be painful and they prefer to learn from the knowledge and expertise of others. As a communication skills speaker, I provide an alternative to learning the hard way.
With workshops, training, keynote addresses, executive coaching, teleseminars, audio CDs and other delivery mechanisms, I teach individuals powerful tools for communication success. I believe that “words matter” and that the words you choose to use and the words you choose to lose can make all the difference. For example, I teach my clients to stop saying “don’t forget” and to start saying “please remember”. You can read other blog posts here for more examples of the specific tools and techniques that I share. I provide professionals with specific language patterns and templates they can use to communicate effectively in some of the most challenging situations. With a focus on practical application (as opposed to theory – because while interesting, theory really doesn’t yield results), I provide individuals, teams, and leaders with the words to use so that we no longer lay awake at night wondering “how do I deal with that?” or “what do I say”.
I enjoy being a communication skills speaker immensely. It is very rewarding to have someone say to me “I tried your technique, and it worked!” I would like to hear from you, so please post a comment. Specifically, I would like to know what types of communication challenges do you face? What types of conversations do you dread? That way, I can post specific tools to address your specific needs.
