It can be challenging for entrepreneurs to succeed if they aren’t great communicators. As entrepreneur Vinod Ramchandra Jadhav says, communication is one of the most critical skills for every startup stage and aspect.
Effective communication is necessary for training employees and attracting customers to your business. Luckily, it’s a skill that anyone can learn.
Here are 10 tips and trips to help you become a better communicator.
1) Listen
Communication is a two-way street. To be an effective communicator, you must know how to speak with others and listen.
Take the time to genuinely listen to what others are saying, and take an interest in what they are trying to communicate to you. A great way to ensure you understood what someone said is to repeat the main point back to them but in a different way.
2) Eliminate Distractions
While listening to others, eliminate things that may serve as distractions. Put down your phone. Don’t look out the window. Turn away from your computer.
Not only will reducing distractions help you fully take in everything someone is saying to you, but it’ll also make them feel as though you care about what they’re saying. Empathy and interest are two critical aspects of effective communication.
3) Remember Names and Faces
Conversations always start on the right foot when you remember people’s names — even if you’ve only met them once in the past. However, as an entrepreneur, this can be very challenging, as you’re likely to meet many people with whom you may not interact with very often.
Focus on remembering people’s names and faces. When you’re able to remember this, you’re likely to gain their trust, leading to more effective communication.
4) Harness Technology
There are loads of technological tools that can help you improve your communication with your teams. For example, you no longer have to rely on inter-office phone systems or even email.
There are many free — or inexpensive — communication programs that can allow you to disseminate information, organize it and collaborate on projects. Investigate all the tools available to you, and choose the ones that work best for your company.
5) Deliver on Promises
A big part of effective communication is building trust. One of the best ways to do this in business is to deliver on the promises you make — no matter how big or small the promise and to whom you make it.
There are times, of course, when you may miss a deadline or not be able to deliver what you promised you would. In these cases, it’s equally as essential to communicate that you will fall short so the other party can adjust. This will also help build trust, as no one expects perfection.
6) Stay Simple
Entrepreneurs are often very intelligent people. They may have vast vocabularies and intricate industry knowledge that others don’t possess.
A key to communicating effectively is to keep the message you deliver simple so everyone can understand. This doesn’t mean “dumbing down” your message, as that could result in you coming off as an elitist.
Instead, focus on not talking above others, and avoid using sarcasm that others could easily misinterpret.
7) Focus on Body Language
Communication isn’t about just the words you use; it’s also about your body language.
If you want to be an effective communicator, you have to pay attention to your body language when you speak and when you listen.
Always maintain eye contact with those you are speaking with. Have a relaxed posture, and make sure the tone of your voice is both approachable and warm.
8) Stop Talking
The best communicators know when to talk and when to keep quiet. If you’re constantly trying to put in your two cents, you’ll end up cutting off other people and making them feel unimportant.
9) Be Honest
If you want people to respect you, you should always be honest with them. When you flip-flop your opinion from one person to the next, you’ll end up confusing people and engendering distrust instead of trust.
Vinod Ramchandra Jadhav says it’s essential to always be open and honest with everyone you communicate with in business.
10) Tend to Emotions
Entrepreneurs who display high emotional IQ are likely to be more effective communicators.
This means tending to other people’s emotions and can be as simple as expressing understanding if someone’s having a rough day.
Pay attention to the emotions of others, and you’ll be able to communicate more effectively.
About Vinod Ramchandra Jadhav
A self-described first generation Entrepreneur, Mr. Vinod Ramchandra Jadhav is the Chairman of SAVA Healthcare Limited, India and Managing Director of Regent Global DMCC, Dubai. With a professional career spanning more than 30 years, he is well versed in hydraulic systems, Industrial Engines, Global sourcing, Supply chain management , ERP database design , Cross Border Trade, International taxation , First-to-Market Generics & Veterinary Medicines in various capacities. Mr. Jadhav holds Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and a Graduate Diploma in Materials Management.
