At a client workshop in Seoul (see picture right, many moons ago), I had 14 mid-level managers who were part of a Top Talent group of excellence. Of the six “professors” who were running a set of modules (mine was communication), our team got into a long conversation about what makes a good communicator good.
The global head of communications (Hye-Jin) was also present. Between her role for this company and my former role in communications at MasterCard, we were both peppered with questions about “our secrets.”
When we pressed them what they were really trying to ask, the reasoning was more clear. To them, beyond the knowledge, rules and skills that all good communicators should have, they believed there were “unwritten principles” of good communications that we knew but they didn’t.
Hye-Jin and I looked at each other and instantly we were in agreement. Yes, that’s probably true there are unsaid things good communicators knew but weren’t written down. Given the situation, we led a quick brainstorm about these so-called “secrets.”
Even now as I look back at this list, almost all of these traits are not something you’d find in a textbook.
Obviously, I’ve kept the list all these years, refining it slightly every now and then.
Now, it’s yours too.
I must say, the list hasn’t changed that much in 15 years despite all the changes to communications in general.
Here’s what the best communicators know
They have an extremely clear purpose of why they are speaking.
They know they’re the least important person in every conversation.
They limit how much they communicate until they have all perspectives.
Or, if they have to talk, their response is “Happy to give you my opinion now, but with a caveat. I reserve the right to change my mind if I get different information.”
They know as much as possible about their audience, particularly what they think and why they think what they do. To understand this mindset, they know they have to ask good questions.
They organise and prioritise their messages. (It’s the difference between “Know what you say” vs. “Say everything you know.”)
They are explicit about what they want their audience to do or think. (They also know the different between the two.)
They are concise, succinct and simple (but not simplistic).
They state an opinion, or they’re prepared to state an opinion if asked.
They are passionate and enthusiastic about their communications.
In the end, they know they carry one thing with them their entire life: their reputation. They don’t do anything to ruin it.
Any other attributes, skills or insights about people who exist key principles of good communications? Please add your thoughts and comments below.
If this topic is interesting to you, check out a similar list of Attributes of Good Communicators.
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