The most effective communicators that I have worked with share many admirable attributes but two are not immediately obvious: a willingness to do things that are hard and an inner drive to get better at those things that put them out of their comfort zone.
While the second follows on from the first, it is the deliberate intention to get better that really matters. Doing something that is hard and discovering that you are not yet good at it is one thing. Committing to and following a process to improve is another – and separates the best from the rest.
In communications, leaders and future leaders often fail to communicate well in the early days. This can be in meetings, presentations, speeches, media performances, panel discussions and lots more…
But the leaders that stand out – some mistake them as ‘naturals’ - will acknowledge this and put in place a process to support their development.
One example I support clients with, that works time and again, no matter the type of communication being undertaken, the individual involved, or their level of experience is following a pre-performance plan.
A pre-performance plan is not a checklist of nice things to do ahead of delivering a high-stakes communication moment but instead a plan to get you in the right shape and frame of mind to perform at your best.
While we are all different, a high stakes communication moment for some will be a TV debate in front of a live audience of millions, for others it will be speaking up in your team meeting, but having in place a process to properly prepare before every moment will set you on a path to mastery.
Communicating well should be mentally and physically demanding which is why I recommend breaking down your pre-performance plan into two areas of mind and body.
Mind will be focused on understanding how you are feeling, accepting this feeling as normal then planning how you perform with these constraints in place.
This could mean managing their anxiety, for others it will be better to re-label how they feel as excitement as many top athletes do, reminding yourself that feelings of butterflies in the stomach are just another form of excitement or energy to burn direct the body towards a performance as much as the mind.
Ultimately the way that you are feeling (sweaty palms, blushing, feeling hot, shaking and others physical signs of anxiety) are a sign that you care about doing a good job in the situation you are in. This is a good thing as is reminding yourself of your purpose (general or specific to the situation).
Body will be focussed on getting you warmed up for a performance. Taking a break before it is time to perform so you are properly rested for example – periodisation works in business as well as for high performing sports stars. Stretching to open your chest, relax built up tension as well as get your voice working particularly if you haven’t used it for some time ahead of a media appearance or speech.
Movement generally is good. Setting your posture, making yourself big, tall, powerful but grounded will help you move with confidence and authority.
Getting outside gets both your mind and body into a better place. As does smiling. It has been proven by research to improve our mood as well as making us more attractive!
These are just a handful of ideas I have helped people implement to perform at their best.
A personalised plan takes time to build but pay dividends if repeated, so it becomes second nature and fundamental to how you prepare for big communication moments.
By doing so you too can become a ‘natural’ communicator.