Have you ever stopped to think about your communication style and how it impacts the experiences you create for others?
Imagine this: You’re in a meeting, excited to share a game-changing idea. But before you can finish, someone interrupts and says, “We’ve tried that before; it won’t work.” How would you feel? Undervalued? Frustrated?
Now consider when or if you’ve ever unintentionally made others feel this way?
The truth is, most of us communicate on autopilot. Research shows that 90% of the time, we speak from habit rather than intention. We focus on delivering our message instead of fostering connection, often unaware of how our words and delivery is being received.
This gap in perception can have a significant impact on your personal brand—the way others see, feel about and remember you. Your tone, body language, attitude, and choice of words all contribute to the experiences you create for others.
So, how do you ensure your communication aligns with the brand you want to project?
Start With Awareness: Are You Making These Common Communication Mistakes?
- Proud Problem Finder: You pride yourself on being a problem-solver, yet your team feels like you’re overly critical because you focus on pointing out the flaws.
- Over-Complimenter: You think you’re being kind with frequent praise, but others perceive it as insincere.
- Idea Blocker: You invite colleagues to share their ideas, but cut them off with, “That won’t work, or we’ve done it before” not even giving them a chance to share and it leaves them feeling unheard.
Does this sound familiar? These habits might not reflect your intentions, but they influence how others experience you.
5 Steps to Build a Communication Style That Resonates
- Define Your Brand Image
How do you want others to know and see you? Write down 4-6 words that describe the energy, attitude, and presence in how you want to show up. Use these words as a daily guide to align all elements of your communication with your intentions. - Consider Your Audience
Communication is about engaging others, not simply sharing what you have to say. Understand where they are at, their needs, listen actively, and collaborate to find solutions instead of merely highlighting problems or directing them in what to do. - Be Fully Present
Put aside distractions, maintain eye contact, and truly listen. Being fully engaged signals respect and builds trust. - Ask Thoughtful Questions
Foster connection by inviting dialogue to seek understanding. Questions could be:- “What’s your perspective for improvement?”
- “Can you walk me through what makes this idea unique?”
- Speak with Authenticity
Don’t say things just to be nice; mean what you say. Genuine communication cultivates credibility, builds trust, and strengthens relationships.
It’s Not About You—It’s About the Experience You Create
Your personal brand isn’t built on who you say you are—it’s built on what others say based on how you make them feel. When you communicate with greater intentionality, you close the gap between how you see yourself and how others perceive you.
Your challenge: What are the 4-6 words that describe how you want to be known? Write them down and take time to understand what they mean to you. Reflect on your communication style. Are your words, energy and actions aligned with how you want to be known?
Remember, effective communication isn’t about delivering a perfect message—it’s about creating understanding and meaningful experiences for the people you connect with.
Your turn: How will you recalibrate your communication to build stronger connections and be more aligned with your desired personal brand?
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Book a complimentary 30-minute consultation to explore how coaching can help you step into your full potential. Email today to get started!
