How To Be A Great Communicator

"What makes the twenty-first century different from previous centuries is the scope of the communication challenge."

"If you think you don't have what it takes to be an effective communicator, think again. Some of the greatest communicators had to overcome some tough handicaps."

"A speech, a broadcast, or a piece of writing, no matter how polished and professional, will have no measurable effect unless it connects with the minds of individuals."

"The way people perceive you will depend upon the way you interact with them."

"In the world of business, poor word choices can alienate clients, drive away customers, and land you in lawsuits."

"Through verbal communication, people learn about your thoughts and ideas. Through nonverbal communication, they learn about your feelings."

"Too many layers of management can stifle upward communications."

"It's important that you learn to express yourself accurately and in a way that will accomplish your purpose concerning the individual you're addressing."

"Listening, like speaking and writing, requires thought and care. If you don't concentrate on listening, you won't learn much, and you won't remember much of what you learn."

"If differences exist in the way women communicate and the way men communicate, people of both sexes can increase their effectiveness by learning about these differences."

"Corporate leaders, from CEOs to supervisors, must learn to deal with and motivate a workforce that springs from a variety of cultures."

"Meetings can be caldrons of creativity and fountains of energy, or they can be exercises in wheel spinning and utter wastes of time. It all depends on how you conduct them."

"Skilled communicators learn to direct their messages toward the audiences they can realistically expect to reach."

"When you have something important to say, whether it's giving directions to your staff, a performance appraisal to an employee, or a report to the board of directors, it pays to organize."

"The object of communication is to make things happen. If nothing happens, the communication has failed."

"The art of public speaking is well worth cultivating, and the preparation for a public speech deserves careful attention."

"After you've chosen your topic, analyze what you already know about it and decide how much additional information you'll need."

"Information and ideas must be passed along with a skillful leavening of humor, pathos, and captivating illustrations."

"The person who is sensitive to an audience is responsive to its needs and wants."

"Concentrate on the message, not on the performance."