5 Keys to Connecting with People

Connecting with complete strangers whether in business or in your journey through life requires one essential skill- communication.  Effective communication is crucial to building rapport and trust, while developing deep and meaningful relationships with others.  Here are a few keys that will help you become a Master Communicator.

1.  Connect with Your Audience:  Whether it is one person or an entire room of people, talk to them as if you were having a conversation over a cup of coffee, or as if you were writing them a letter from your heart.  Authenticity speaks volumes!

2.  Begin with Affirmation: People love compliments and it is the deep innate desire of all human beings to be loved, accepted, and appreciated.  When you affirm, encourage, or compliment another individual- you accomplish several things. You build their confidence and self-esteem, as well as, edify them deep into their hearts core and subconscious mind.

3.  Enlarge Their Vision: All people are either driven by pain or pleasure. They are either trying to solve a problem or reach a goal.  Whether they know it or not, when you communicate with people, you either build them up or tear them down.  Your words breathe life or death to their dreams. Be conscious about encouraging them and helping them think, dream, and become bigger than they already are at this moment. If you do this, your influential leadership will impact a life forever!

4.  Use Positive Inclusive Language:  Think what you’re thinking about, as well as, how and why you’re saying it. People subconsciously communicate in a negative perspective all the time. Let me give you two examples: 1. “Not Bad” two very negative words trying to say something positive.  What if you said “It’s Good!” a small but significant shift could alter your attitude and mood in a positive way.  2.  “I Love Them To Death” oh my…that’s supposed to be a good thing right? What if you moved a small position, and your perspective became “I Love Them To Life!”

5.  Offer Specific Action Steps:  This step may require courage and tact on your part.  Becoming an effective communicator has less to do with what you say, but more so, how you say it- with both words and body language.  Regardless of what you do in life personally or professionally, you are either helping people solve a problem or partnering with them to create pleasure.  As you seek to provide products or service to your clients, family, and/or friends, becoming a more effective communicator will help you make a difference in the lives of the people you serve every single day.  Remember to stay positive, offer constructive-honest feedback, and always encourage, edify, and s- from this position you will leave a lasting impression and the legacy of a lifetime in the minds of the people you influence everyday!

Live Abundantly,