Communication is the key
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Saying the right thing in the right manner advances one's career. To put it differently, good verbal IQ brightens the success potential
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LEND ME YOUR EARS: Only the one who has good verbal skills will be listened to. Photo: A. Roy Chowdhury
STUDENTS DESIROUS of knowing about `smart talk' should read the book, `The Art of Savvy Business' by Robert Roesch.
He says, in any business, saying the right thing in the right manner can advance your career, while saying the wrong thing can ruin it.
He names it `Verbal IQ'. He suggests various ways to develop verbal skills that are necessary for students, executives and business people. The principles can be applied in home and personal situations as well.
We always assume that we make ourselves clear and are easy to understand. If there's a problem, it's with the other guy and not with us.
It is like driving a car. We are always the good, safe and careful driver. It's the other guy who's at fault. Think of how many times you've said, or heard others say, "But I thought you meant..." or "No, you've completely misunderstood what I was saying."
High verbal IQ builds self-esteem and enhances the image of a person. It brightens the potential for success. Good verbal IQ includes perfect positive argument, refraining from unnecessary talking, attentiveness against every encounter, awareness of the solution and preparedness to accept the truth. While speaking to anyone, one should tailor his phrases.
Choosing between ``where to demand and how to request'' is an art. A good communicator knows that people are more receptive when they are respected.
Listen to your voice
"One should be able to listen to his own voice," says Roesch. It means monitoring the pace and volume, tone, articulation of words and phrases. The way you sound to others can decide your image, showcase your potential and impact on your success. Whether your listener is able to understand you is the key point.
Most lecturers might have devoted many years on research relating to the subjects they teach. But, being an expert on a subject does not ensure that one can teach it effectively. Each of us can think of a professor we knew, who had great minds, but was a miserable teacher. Knowledge is the foundation of effective lecturing, but other preparatory steps are essential.
The qualities of a bad lecturer are that they try to cover up too much material. They teach very fast to complete the subject.
They are not well prepared and their speech is disorganised.
They are overconfident about their students' ability to understand them and thus never give the student an opportunity to raise any doubt.
This habit is called `cover the syllabus syndrome'.
Phone conversation
Whenever you call somebody, however close to you, identify yourself and open your conversation with a question, `Are you busy or can I talk?'
Informing your reason for calling shows your respect to the other's time.
Some calls are routine and require no preparation, but while making an important or crisis call, you should note down all -- important points for discussion beforehand.
Make a maximum effort not to put the other person on hold.
When you get a crisis call and unable to tell your decision, don't hold the phone and dodge. Instead, ask for some time. Decisions taken under haste may boomerang.
Many of us are petrified of speaking in front of groups. The fear would be so bad that a lump in the throat would physically prevent us from speaking.
We freeze and are mentally blocked from what we had to say. For some, the fear of public speaking is stronger than the fear of death. Self-therapy is the best solution for good communication, particularly for public speaking.
Initially, self-therapy includes standing before a mirror or before a group of known true friends and delivering the speech.
Before attempting this, you should be thorough with the subject. Let your friends suggest about your body language, etc. Continue this procedure till you are confident.
As the time to speak approaches, even minutes before the event, rehearse so that you continue to listen to your voice.
Even while speaking, let your mental awareness guide you and you would find your energies welling up inside.
After completion of your first public speech you would find that the anxiety vanished into thin air. From then, you will be raring to go to public, having tasted the sweetness of the sound of claps.
yandamoori@hotmail.com
YANDAMOORI VEERENDRANATH
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