The Game Changers guide to‌how to be an effective communicator? In association with The Good Life Manifesto LUDOVIC VUILLIER Founder of The Good Life Manifesto
Q Why are high level communication skills required not only in the work place? Almost everything in life requires us to communicate with others. The moment another person is involved, be it spouse, landlord, teacher, doctor or even cashier, it will require communication in some form. It may be only non-verbal if it is a short interaction, for example when communicating with other drivers while in the car, or crossing the road as a pedestrian. Or perhaps it will require a lot of verbal communication, such as with a spouse. The better you communicate, the more effective your communications will be. This means that not only will you be achieving more, but it will also be done with less stress and fewer misunderstandings. Q How can it improve your life? In every way possible. Imagine everything in your life going a little more smoothly. Everything. Less fights, less misunderstandings, more cooperation and better results. Those are just a few of the ways that having good communication skills can improve your life. Q What are the core skills to have in order to be an effective communicator? This is a debate many people have. And it is important, since there is a lot of information about how to communicate effectively, and it takes time to learn this well. The truth is that no matter how good you are, you can always improve. But we have to start somewhere, so how to choose? Let us remember that all communication has a purpose. That purpose is not the good feeling of just spouting words into the world. The purpose is always as part of an interaction with someone else, whether it is direct or indirect. Keeping in mind the idea of all communication having a purpose, we then realise we need to know
GAME CHANGERS Issue #25
Ludovic Vuillier Founder of The Good Life Manifesto
two things: how to read the person in front of us, and how to tailor our communication for that particular person and purpose. Each new piece of knowledge about communication needs to help with one of these two things. But there is so much to know! This is where you need to filter. Learn the things that are the easiest, yet have the highest impact. With this method you may not have a sharpened communication tool yet, but it will be a useful one to get you started. From my experience in the field, I suggest to most people to learn how to use questions well. I have met very few people who have learned to use this tool successfully, and it is a shame. I have a free webinar that I do on the subject that explains how useful it is to know how to use questions effectively in communication. I always see everyone in shock when they realise how powerful it is and yet fairly easy to learn.
