Recently I posted on my Business page on Facebook:
Today’s’ Warrior-Preneur question is inspired by my sistah Donna L. Johnson. Thanks Donna for the inspiration! Can you do a good job and be a consistently poor communicator as a entrepreneur?
Inspired by Donna L. Johnson, the Unemployed Entrepreneur Communication is Business isn’t it? I had to ask my fans of course Donna was game! Here are the comments from the fans of my page on Facebook:
- Lee Lonitz Good question. I think ‘poor communicator’ is relative because many businesses and clients all communicate at different levels and rates. For me, as a fast-moving business my clients definitely want a rapid and direct line to communicate with me. For others, it may not take as much communication (e.g. an occasional update) to create an effective result and do a ‘good job.’ I’d be curious to see what the other Warrior-Preneurs think.
- Haley Higginbotham Montgomery Sometimes your effectiveness as a communicator factors into whether or not people BELIEVE you can do a good job. If you don’t present yourself well with communication tools using the basics like correct spelling, good grammar, well-formed thoughts, etc, then it can hinder confidence in your other abilities.
- Irene Turner Depends on your job…if you are a paper pusher or computer software geek and communication is not key for your work, yes…but most positions as an entrepreneur you must either promote your business, deal with a client or some act that at some point requires communication…so overall, I’d say no!
- Rocky Maddex As an entrepreneur you can be a bad communicator. If you want to be successful though, communication skills are a Key to Success! It’s a skill like any other though and can be learned and improved upon. This does not mean you have to master all forms of communication though, and if you’ve read or listened to Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuck you’ll know what I”m talking about.
- Chris Wagner I struggle with this all the time. I get very tongue tied and flustered. I definitely think that good communication skills will propel you to higher levels. It’s all about confidence.
- Andrea Nelson Mueller I think you can succeed as a bad communicator if you KNOW that is a weakness for you. You can work your strengths and do a little more to make up for your lack of skills in verbal communication or writing. You can delegate and hire out to a certain degree, too, but you have to know which … See More areas should be delegated. And, overall, if your heart is good that will come through even if you’re not a smooth talker though as Haley said, building belief in you/your business depends largely on how you communicate.
Now you KNOW I have an opinion! Check out the video:
So what do you think? Can you do a good job and be a poor communicator?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I think “wordiness” is a weakness in my communication skills. 🙂 Loved seeing all the comments here on the blog.
Anne, you know I am all about “communication” so I absolutely agree that doing a good job is difficult or impossible without 1) listening to customers MORE than speaking; and 2) communicating feedback, thoughts, ideas in an effort to make sure customers (or managers) are satisfied. After all we all speak and communicate on different levels and physical methods (some are more talkative, some are better writers, some are better at physically expressing themselves with animated physical actions, etc.). And sometimes things get 'lost in translation' even if we think we're on the same page. So it's important to make sure the communication (however it is being done) is leading to the same message and outcome.
Cheers,
Lee
Ann, right on the money and thanks for bringing this topic up.
Asking questions and repeating what prospects and clients said in THEIR words, has been key to improving my communications skills as a business owner. I always thought I had to talk, to prove my expertise and know-how, but all I had to do was really listen.
Great post!
Ann once again you go to the key issue. If you cant communicate well – using all the elements of communication including listening/hearing, leading, you cannot satisfy clients, employees or yourself. You fail to connect. I saw this first hand at a board meeting this week. Good communication leads to incredible results.
Jennifer Duchene
The Home Makeover Mixtress blending cool and cozy style.
http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/
Success in business relies on relationships, quality of relationships. It is very difficult, next to impossible, to have successful relationships with people who cannot communicate. You may be able to get by to a point on just your technical skills, but when bumps in the road it (and they will hit), being able to communicate and navigate relationships is essential.
I think that the “practice” of good communication is key. I'm finding this whole social media networking and blogging a great way to “practice” my communication skills. I think I once heard you say if you can communicate your thoughts clearly in 140 words or less then you've successfully communicated! something like that. But it is true, if you can get across a clear message in fewer words…this is good communication. I guess we will be practicing for awhile!
Depends on the job. If you don't need to deal with other people, it matter less than if you deal with customers, clients, co-workers, managers, vendors and others on a daily basis.
However, being able to communicate to your supervisor, manager, or co-workers that you are doing a good job does require better than average communication skills.
The higher up you go on the org chart the more you need excellent communication skills.
Depends on the job. If you don't need to deal with other people, it matter less than if you deal with customers, clients, co-workers, managers, vendors and others on a daily basis.
However, being able to communicate to your supervisor, manager, or co-workers that you are doing a good job does require better than average communication skills.
The higher up you go on the org chart the more you need excellent communication skills.
Great topic Ann,
I recently interviewed for a contract job and was shocked by the owners communication skills, I almost did not go on the interview because I found it difficult to take him seriously. I agree that communication skills are essential to doing a good job and also to presenting a professional image. I focus on listening with sensitivity to my clients & students to gauge what information is needed for effective communication.
Chris Arcucci
http://www.MindfulLivingArts.com
I agree with your opinion Ann (even before watching your video). For entrepreneurs especially, good communication is KEY to doing a good job. Entrepreneurs are required to wear more hats than in corporate America, so you need to be ready to take on the challenges. This is an area I am DEFINITELY working on in order to be more successful in growing and retaining a satisfied customer base.
Ann, I can't agree with you more that good communications skills are critical to being a good business person. In my high-tech days, I was always surprised by people who got promoted or recognized, in spite of their poor communications skills. I think there are a lot of people who are successful, in spite of their limitations. But I don't think they are truly good business people. And usually their limits catch up to them.
I agree – communication skills are key in all areas of life and in all jobs. I see terrible managers in many businesses who have been promoted because they are technically good but have an unhappy team because they don’t communicate. Communication is something I stress heavily to my host families and AuPairs. I insist that they have regular ‘meetings’ to discuss how things are going for all parties and that they use their communication log to tell each other what they want done and what has been done. I have worked on my own communication skills over the years and yes, part of that is being a good listener.
Louise Edington
International AuPair Finder
Facing Fears and Frontiers Over Fifty
http://louiseedington.com
I talk too much… i open my mouth and it’s like Blaaaggghhh I have to work on that
I’m with you on this one Ann. No matter how good one is technically, if they can’t communicate their skill verbally in the ways you indicate in your video, what does it matter? You may be the best person for the job I am hiring for, but if you cannot communicate that to me, how will I know? And vice versa. If I am the best person for you, I need to be able to one, listen to you to find out what your needs actually are so that I can determine if I am a good fit for you and two, communicate to you why I’m the best person for the job.
Keep telling it like it is, Ann!
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://www.susan-berland.com
No…that was my simple answer when I read the opening sentence. Communication is two-way and if you can’t make yourself understood OR you can’t hear and listen to what others are saying…well, that’s a problem. Part of my business involves demonstrating and yes, I can show people my stuff, but I have to be able to speak effectively (and not too much – oops,) and know when to stop speaking and listen to needs. Same with a potential team member, I need to be able to give information based on what I’m hearing.
I’ve worked with plenty of leaders in organizations who are so busy “getting stuff done” that they forget to let their teams know what they’re doing. The Vision gets lost and so does the banner behind which leaders expect others to follow. No, it’s not about blowing one’s own trumpet in any sort of egotistical fashion, it’s about letting others know what work is being accomplished, what help is needed and what milestones (and obstacles) lay ahead.
Doing a good job requires good communication. Good communication requires listening to, and acknowledging, those that have a stake in the work or the outcome.
~ Dr P ~