I had a great experience in Wilmington, North Carolina at the NC A4LE conference organized by the great Julie Fried and Nicole McGregor from from Smith System.
Nicole and Julie took care of so many details to make it a great event, including Nicole’s idea for name badges. How many of us have been to an event where everyone is wearing a name badge, but when you try to go talk to them, their name badge is flipped around the other way. Nicole made sure that the name badges were double-sided so the names, titles, and organizations showed on both sides. It’s such a simple idea, but it made such a huge impact on communication. Everyone knew who the other people were and they could call them by name. Well done, ladies!
I kept my name badge, and it got me thinking about how important it is that we do more than expected with many things, but especially with communication. Nicole’s idea. To make the name badges double-sided definitely fits more than expected. It made me think about what other ways we can do more than expected in our communication with others.
Number one: Know people’s names and call them by them. If you don’t know someone’s name, ask them quickly at the beginning of the conversation. Rip the Band-Aid right off and get past the awkwardness. Just say “I’m sorry, could you tell me your name again?” If there even is an awkward moment, you’ll be past it in 30 seconds and feel more empowered and more confident because you know the person’s name. Say it at least two or three times in your conversation with them.
Number two: Learn something about the person, the organization, or the place you are. Bring it up to them and engage in the conversation about something that is about them. Make the conversation about the other person. This is a great communication skill because people are happy to talk about things that are near and dear to their hearts. Is there a new baby in the family? Do they have a new position? Did they get a new car? Did they just come from a vacation? Did they just publish their first book? These are all things that people would be excited to talk about, and when you ask about them. It’s giving them permission to share. Learn something about the person before heading into the conversation.
Number three: Use the magic words: tell me more about that. When they say something, be curious about it and use those magic words to ask for more. This shows you’re interested and focused on the conversation.
Number four: Be interesting and be interested. I just shared a couple ways that you can be interested in the conversation, but how can you add to it? Can you relate it to a book you read or a podcast you listened to? Something related to what they’re saying can add to it? Maybe you follow up with a text message afterward with a link to something related to what they were sharing? Maybe you’ve traveled to that place they mentioned or eaten at that restaurant. Share the review that you wrote about the food or the great service. Things like that can connect you to the conversation.
These are four simple strategies to do more than expected. Obviously, facial expressions and body language are of the utmost importance to be an active listener and good communication partner, but these are some simple strategies that you can add into your next interaction. Not sure? A little hesitant to try it? Give it a shot. The only way you can fail is by not using them!
Keep rolling on your journey, friends, and keep surviving and thriving!
