Friday, 26 December 2008

Master these skills to get the winning edge

Wonder what makes some people highly successful than others in any given field? More often you attribute their unique way of connecting to others, better known as charisma, as responsible for the success they enjoy. You are right to an extent but charisma is not all, it is their ability to focus on the meaningful that gives them the winning edge.

Not many of us are lucky enough to possess such natural charm but we can still be as effective if we choose to hone certain skills that make a difference. Highly successful leaders understand that good communication is the key to success. They have an extraordinary talent of using the spoken word as well as body language to register the maximum impact on their audience.

Closely observe eminent people whom you consider success icons. Discover how skilfully they communicate. Their gift of the gab is awe inspiring but don’t simply stop at admiring them but try to learn a few techniques yourself. It is never too late to pick a few success tips. Great leaders connect instantly with their audience. They adjust their tone and approach to suit their audience’s emotional state. So it goes without saying that to be a good communicator you must first listen carefully to other’s concerns and empathise with them.

High impact leaders often use stories and anecdotes to make their viewpoint clear and emphatic. Communication doesn’t mean relaying lots of factual data. Punctuate it with emotion and symbols and you make it easy for your audience to interpret the information.

To sound effective and authentic always have forceful evidence on your fingertips to support your views. To convey confidence and command vary the pace and pitch of your talk. Be neither too slow nor too fast while you converse. A timely pause is essential to retain the attention of listeners. It helps them to understand and absorb what you said. It also helps you to stay focussed on the crux of the matter.

When in crisis great leaders seldom resort to the blame game; they honestly look for what went wrong and how to rectify things. Through their positive communication they bring forth favourable outcomes. While facing performance issues make it a point to go to the root of the problem. You may be tempted to chide your subordinates for the poor show but that will not help in improving things. Instead offer your support and encouragement to your team and better results will automatically follow.

Effective leaders communicate with a passion to get the best out of every opportunity that comes their way. They attract people with their crisp messages. You too can grab the attention of listeners if you are ready with your speech to suit the occasion. Be sure of your goals and practise conveying them in a nutshell. Highlight the promise of mutual benefit when you negotiate with others. People will listen to you when they see a benefit for themselves. Successful leaders acknowledge the importance of give and take in any relationship. So be ready to give the first concession to your opponents in order to secure much more in return.

Good leaders do not let anxiety overwhelm them; instead they adapt quickly to changes to move out of crisis. They owe their success mostly to asking the right questions.

Asking questions isn’t as simple as you believe it to be. First you must create a situation where people can speak without fear of reprisal. Challenging assumptions once in a while prevents you and your team from slipping into complacency. Encouragement to think on alternatives can lead to crucial breakthroughs.

Body language is equally important in garnering success. The way you conduct yourself signals to the world how energetic and confident you are. Stand straight, tuck your tummy in, hold your head high and smile radiantly at people around you. You already look like a winner and people are only too willing to rally behind a winner.

Don’t just communicate for communication’s sake. Verbal and non-verbal communication skills are powerful tools in your arsenal to create a positive impact on others. Make a conscious effort to master these skills that make a world of difference to your confidence and success levels.

No comments:

Post a Comment