As a good communicator we want to influence our audience not make them feel defensive or pressured. But how do we do this? Our tone of voice, our body language and the words we choose have a huge impact on how we build a relationship with our audience in a meeting and in presentations. Here are some tips to make sure your message is understood the way you want it to be understood:
- Body language: Be aware of yours and others body language. What is it telling you? These non-verbal cues can help you know how your message is being perceived. Do people have their arms crossed? Are they leaning forward? Crossed arms c
an be interpreted as defensive or closed off. Leaning forward can be interpreted as interested and focused.- Eye contact: Maintain eye contact with your audience. This helps them feel like you are interested and talking to them rather than at them and will also help them maintain eye contact with you rather them being distracted by their phone or notes.
- Watch your tone: If you sound defensive, like your are commanding or like you are whinging you are going to make people feel unheard and disrespected and they will switch off. On the other hand, if you smile, acknowledge others point of view and their contribution and make suggestions rather than demands you are more likely to be able to influence others into your way of thinking.
All of the above is about engaging with emotional intelligence. Watch others, reflect on yours and other’s behaviour and address it mindfully. This ultimately will make you a connected and assertive communicator rather than being perceived as aggressive.