CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Companies with better communication skills are likely to also boast a better bottom line. It’s no secret, as yet another Towers Watson study from 2011-2012 highlights this trend: “Companies that are highly effective at communication are 1.7 times as likely to outperform their peers.”
But it’s not just communication skills per se that’s driving performance here. It’s the mindset underneath them. Your employees can attend as many workshops and seminars as they like, learning how to deliver feedback, lead a meeting, or deliver an important presentation to senior leadership. But once they return to the chaotic world of deadlines, bottom lines, and executive expectations, their training is likely to take a backseat to everyday survival. What they need is a lesson on mindset.
Mindset is the attitude, belief, or perspective that drives our approach to communication. It can create the biggest barrier or breakthrough to successful communication and leadership. At The Speaker’s Choice (TSC), a communications coaching firm that has served over 13,000 business professionals nationwide, we’ve found that clients produce better results when tackling not only the mechanics but also the mindset underneath their communications. According to Jeff Hornstein, President of TSC, “Only when our clients shift how they think about themselves and the work challenges around them are they able to draw on, practice, and hone newfound communication skills.”
Mindset shifting isn’t always accomplished with a single mental exercise. Sometimes, additional tools such as strengths and interpersonal assessments, and customized coaching can be helpful.
Learning the practice of shifting mindset isn’t some secret sauce but rather a simple practice you can try immediately. Before your next meeting, prepare not only your PowerPoint deck but also your mindset. Become aware of any preconceived notions about the outcomes or people involved? Try “cleaning off your lenses” so you can view the situation more objectively and be more present during the meeting.
Based on client successes, our team is creating a book on mindset – Mindset for Business Communication– to be published in late 2013.
The Speaker’s Choice™ works with companies and business professionals to improve spoken communication, interaction, confidence, and trust. Our training and coaching emphasizes three major areas: Mechanics | Messages | Mindset.
