Unlocking Your Communication Style: Discover Your 'Style Words'
In our latest podcast episode, 14. The power of communication: You create your world with your words...so what exactly are you saying? Communication expert Laurie Schloff provides an approachable perspective!, we had the pleasure of speaking with Laurie Schloff, a renowned communication expert. Laurie introduced the powerful concept of 'style words' – the terms people instinctively use to describe you in a professional setting. This blog post expands on that conversation, providing a detailed guide to identifying your own style words and leveraging them to enhance your communication and impact, particularly in sales. Understanding and utilizing your style words can transform how you connect with others, build rapport, and ultimately achieve your goals. Join us as we delve deeper into the fascinating world of style words and unlock their potential to revolutionize your communication style.
Introduction: The Power of Style Words in Communication
Communication is the cornerstone of any successful interaction, especially in sales. It's not just about what you say, but how you say it and the impression you leave. Laurie Schloff's concept of "style words" offers a unique lens through which to examine and improve your communication effectiveness. Style words are the adjectives people naturally use to describe you after experiencing your communication style. They capture the essence of your professional persona and the impact you have on others.
Think about the people you admire for their communication skills. What words come to mind when you describe them? Are they persuasive, insightful, engaging, or trustworthy? These are their style words in action. Recognizing and harnessing your own style words empowers you to communicate with greater intention, authenticity, and impact.
What are Style Words?
Style words are the descriptive terms that people associate with your communication style. They're not simply about your personality, but rather how your personality manifests itself when you interact with others in a professional context. These words reflect the overall feeling and impression you convey during conversations, presentations, and even written communication.
Unlike skills, which are learned abilities, style words represent the inherent qualities that shine through in your communication. They often align with your strengths and values, shaping how you connect with audiences and influence their perceptions of you. For example, someone might be described as "knowledgeable," "passionate," or "calm" – each reflecting a distinct communication style.
It's important to note that style words are not fixed or static. While some may remain consistent over time, others can evolve as you grow and develop your communication skills. Self-awareness plays a crucial role in identifying and refining your style words to align with your goals.
Why Style Words Matter in Sales and Communication
In sales and communication, first impressions matter – and they matter a lot. Your style words contribute significantly to that initial impression. They influence how people perceive your credibility, trustworthiness, and likability.
By understanding your style words, you can strategically leverage them to build rapport with prospects and clients. If your style word is "knowledgeable," you can focus on showcasing your expertise through insightful questions and data-driven insights. If your style word is "empathetic," you can actively listen and respond to the needs and concerns of your audience.
Furthermore, style words can help you differentiate yourself from the competition. In a crowded marketplace, authenticity and unique communication style can be a powerful advantage. By embracing your style words, you can create a memorable and compelling brand that resonates with your target audience.
Finally, understanding your style words helps you communicate with intention. You become more aware of the impact you have on others and can adapt your approach to achieve the desired outcome. This heightened awareness leads to more effective communication and stronger relationships.
Identifying Your Style Words: A Step-by-Step Guide
Discovering your style words requires introspection and a willingness to seek feedback from others. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you uncover your unique communication style:
- Self-Reflection: Start by thinking about your past communication experiences. What are the common themes or patterns that emerge? How do you typically describe yourself as a communicator? What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Seek Feedback: Ask trusted colleagues, friends, or mentors to describe your communication style. What words come to mind when they think of you presenting, conversing, or writing? Be open to constructive criticism and listen carefully to their perspectives.
- Analyze Past Interactions: Review past recordings of presentations or meetings, if available. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and word choice. What impression do you think you conveyed?
- Identify Recurring Themes: After gathering feedback and analyzing your interactions, look for recurring themes or patterns. What words consistently appear when people describe your communication style? These are likely your core style words.
- Refine and Validate: Once you have identified a few potential style words, refine them to accurately reflect your communication style. Validate these words by seeking additional feedback from a wider audience.
Remember, identifying your style words is an ongoing process. As you grow and develop your communication skills, your style words may evolve as well. Be open to adapting and refining your understanding of your communication style over time.
Examples of Style Words and Their Impact
Here are some examples of style words and how they can impact your communication:
- Passionate: A passionate communicator conveys enthusiasm and excitement, inspiring others to take action.
- Knowledgeable: A knowledgeable communicator establishes credibility and expertise, building trust with their audience.
- Empathetic: An empathetic communicator connects with others on an emotional level, fostering rapport and understanding.
- Confident: A confident communicator projects assurance and conviction, influencing others to believe in their message.
- Calm: A calm communicator exudes composure and stability, reassuring others in stressful situations.
- Humorous: A humorous communicator injects levity and entertainment into their communication, engaging their audience and making them more receptive to their message.
- Direct: A direct communicator is clear and concise, ensuring their message is easily understood.
- Creative: A creative communicator brings fresh ideas and unique perspectives, capturing the attention of their audience.
These are just a few examples, and the specific style words that resonate with you will depend on your personality, skills, and goals. The key is to identify the words that accurately reflect your communication style and leverage them to enhance your impact.
Leveraging Your Style Words to Enhance Communication
Once you've identified your style words, it's time to leverage them to enhance your communication. Here are some practical tips:
- Be Intentional: Consciously incorporate your style words into your communication. If your style word is "enthusiastic," make sure your tone and body language reflect that enthusiasm.
- Amplify Your Strengths: Focus on highlighting your strengths in your communication. If your style word is "knowledgeable," share your expertise through insightful questions and data-driven insights.
- Address Your Weaknesses: Identify any weaknesses that might be hindering your communication. If you tend to be too direct, practice softening your approach and being more empathetic.
- Tailor Your Approach: Adapt your communication style to your audience. Consider their needs, preferences, and communication styles when crafting your message.
- Practice and Refine: Continuously practice your communication skills and seek feedback to refine your approach. The more you practice, the more natural and authentic your communication will become.
By intentionally leveraging your style words, you can create a more powerful and impactful communication style that resonates with your audience and helps you achieve your goals.
Communicating with Passion and Authenticity
One of the key takeaways from our conversation with Laurie Schloff is the importance of communicating with passion and authenticity. When you genuinely care about your message and connect with your audience on a personal level, your communication becomes much more impactful.
Passion is contagious. When you're passionate about what you're saying, your enthusiasm will naturally inspire others to take action. Authenticity builds trust. When you're genuine and honest in your communication, people are more likely to believe and connect with you.
To communicate with passion and authenticity, start by identifying what truly motivates you. What are you passionate about? What do you believe in? When you're able to connect your message to your values and beliefs, your communication will naturally become more authentic and impactful.
Preparation and Practice: Avoiding Communication Pitfalls
Effective communication requires preparation and practice. Even the most naturally gifted communicators need to prepare and practice their message to ensure they're delivering it effectively.
Before any important communication, take the time to plan your message, consider your audience, and anticipate any potential challenges. Practice your delivery to ensure you're comfortable and confident. The more prepared you are, the less likely you are to fall into common communication pitfalls, such as rambling, using jargon, or losing your audience's attention.
Remember, preparation doesn't have to be time-consuming. Even a few minutes of planning and practice can make a significant difference in your communication effectiveness.
The Purpose of Presentations: Creating a Feeling
Laurie Schloff shared a powerful insight: the purpose of a typical presentation isn't to overload the audience with information. In fact, most people only remember a small fraction of the information presented.
Instead, the primary purpose of a presentation is to create a feeling. By connecting with your audience on an emotional level, you can inspire them to take action, remember your message, and build a lasting connection.
To create a feeling during your presentation, focus on storytelling, use vivid language, and connect your message to your audience's values and beliefs. The more you can engage their emotions, the more impactful your presentation will be.
Key Takeaways: Mastering Communication for Sales Success
Here are the key takeaways from our conversation with Laurie Schloff and this blog post:
- Sales is all about communicating effectively.
- You create your world with your words.
- You can control how you communicate.
- Let your passion show through.
- Prepare diligently, don’t despair!
By mastering these principles, you can unlock your communication potential and achieve greater success in sales and beyond.
Connect with Laurie Schloff
To learn more about Laurie Schloff and her work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website.
Call to Action: Share Your Style Words!
We encourage you to take some time to reflect on your own style words. What words best describe your communication style? Share your style words in the comments below! We'd love to hear from you.
In conclusion, understanding and leveraging your style words is a powerful tool for enhancing your communication and impact, especially in the competitive world of sales. By identifying your unique communication strengths and consciously incorporating them into your interactions, you can build stronger relationships, establish credibility, and ultimately achieve your goals. This blog post, inspired by our conversation with Laurie Schloff in episode 14 of the podcast, provides a practical guide to discovering and utilizing your style words. We hope this information empowers you to unlock your communication potential and create a more impactful and fulfilling career.
