Paradigms of communication

Communication is nothing more than influence. How we communicate can have a profound effect on the way we influence others around us.

Keys to communicating effectively:

• Communicate based on common knowledge - Common sense is not common to everyone. Relaying a common heritage builds a foundation between you and the listener that gives you credibility.
• Bridge the past to the present - This is another way of saying identify with the listener. Mutual identity brings out positive growth.
• Pose questions - do not accept status quo; challenge your listener to think.
• Make connections to the others' way of thinking - be relatable to your audience. Know their culture and be able to connect in ways that resonate with the listener.
• Supporting research is your friend -- use empirical data as a tool, not (just) a weapon. Let the experts in a given field do the heavy lifting for you, and then apply it to your own circumstances.

Positive affects of persuasion:

• Clarity of purpose - Knowing the "what" or the "why" gives direction and understanding.
• Orientation to mobility - when listeners clearly understand a concept, task or initiative, they are naturally biased toward action.
• Repeatability - If your team knows what is expected of them, and they do it, the momentum will be irresistable to others.