Your use of language instantaneously speaks volumes about you. It is a strong indicator of how you are performing at work.
When speaking try to put on the ears of the listener. Then the objective of talking, communication is more likely to be achieved. I suggest six steps to quickly improve your speaking skills.
- Use words the listener understands. Don’t use words that simply show you have an extensive vocabulary. It is the listener that matters.
- Give the listener only as much information as can be absorbed at one time.
- Speak slowly you will be better understood.
- Watch the listener’s face. This will indicate if he or she received the information. Often the listener shuts down when overloaded.
- Think before speaking. People often talk before thinking and their words are perceived as silly, hurtful or even without merit.
- Develop the habit of not saying something unless there is a reason to say it. Being careful of what one says gives an aura of positive presence. People having positive presence send powerful messages and appear prepared to use that power.
In the wonderful movie Being There, Chauncey, a simple gardener played by Peter Sellers, was invited by chance to join an elite group of wealthy educated persons. He was not well educated, but he spoke sparingly. Shortly everyone became extremely interested in whatever he said. They attributed great wisdom to his words. His image grew simply because he rarely spoke without a good reason.
In the famous play My Fair Lady, Professor Henry Higgins takes an ordinary flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, and makes her presentable to high society. It is noteworthy that the first lesson the professor teaches her is to speak well.
The Importance of Language in Business
I am a consultant to two Chief Operating Officers deeply concerned about the language used by their staff. One heads a technology company and is so interested in using English correctly he regularly recommends employees attend an English class at a local university. His view is that correct language use is particularly important in the technology field. His business is doing well, and the success, I believe, is in no small part due to this instruction. Technology can be difficult to understand because of its unique professional jargon. Yet, university science and technology curricula generally fail to emphasize English and other humanities courses.
Another client has come to recognize the value of proper word usage. He is an entrepreneur whose principal business is building and managing office buildings. At staff meetings, the agenda includes a discussion of improving language.
Larry Wolf was a vice president and head of the leasing department for a development company. He was nationally recognized for uniquely and successfully leasing famous landmarks including Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston and the South Street Seaport Museum in New York. Larry had a reputation as an excellent communicator and speaker. He attributed his business success to what he called his “little secret.” He told me the secret was to always prepare an outline before speaking to a client or an employee. Also, he was frequently called upon to address large groups. He felt he had to spend one hour preparing for every minute of his speech. He was famous for finding the perfect words to express his point.
I suggest reading classical literature for pleasure. Generally, the classics are well written and I find my language use improves when reading well composed texts.
I also recommend evening college courses. Just participating in an academic environment helps language use.
Although it may take some effort to improve your speaking skills, that effort will undoubtedly produce huge rewards.
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