What are the most effective ways to communicate with influence and impact in high-stakes situations?

Understanding "WHAT" are you going to say?, "WHOM" are you going to speak to?, "WHY" you are speaking? "HOW" are you going to convey? One should know these fundamental answers clearly for effective communication and influence. The communication's clear purpose and expected outcome will make it much more powerful.

Purpose is crucial in communication because it provides direction, clarity, and focus. When you have a clear purpose, you know exactly what you want to achieve and what action you want your audience to take. This enables you to craft a message that is relevant, compelling, and tailored to address your audience's needs and motivations. Having a purpose also helps you stay focused during the communication, allowing you to convey your message effectively and with confidence. Moreover, a clear purpose helps your audience understand the value and relevance of your message, increasing their engagement and willingness to take the desired action.

"The most powerful leadership tool you have is your own personal example." - John Wooden Understanding your purpose and audience is foundational for impactful communication. In high-stakes situations, clarity on your message and its intended impact is crucial. Know the needs, expectations, and concerns of your audience. Tailor your communication to align with your purpose, ensuring that your message resonates authentically and addresses the specific interests of those you are communicating with.

It is important before starting negotiations to agree with all participants the rules for negotiations. It might sound like this - Dear colleagues, in order to our meeting to be as successful as possible, I propose to structure our negotiations as follows - I will present our product and then answer your questions. OK?

Ability to influence during High stakes situation is limited by ability to diagnose the reasons behind people and stakeholders resistance or inaction. Common misdiagnoses during such situations involves, influencer thinking that others are stubborn or donot wish to support by design. This is also called ‘fundamental attribution error’. Second common error is assuming single reason behind the resistance. There is usually a conspiracy of causes, sometimes 3-4. Inability to identify human and environmental factors often lead to simplistic diagnosis and ineffective use of influencing good influence strategies.

Preparation is crucial in high-stakes communication for several reasons. It allows you to anticipate and address potential challenges, refine your message for clarity and coherence, and practice your delivery to come across as confident and engaging. Additionally, preparation helps build confidence, leading to better performance and a more impactful communication experience. Overall, preparation is essential in high-stakes communication to handle objections, communicate effectively, reduce anxiety, and convey your message with conviction.

"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." - Thomas Jefferson Preparation and practice instill confidence and competence. Anticipate potential questions or challenges and have well-thought-out responses. Rehearse your communication, focusing on articulation, tone, and body language. Through diligent preparation and practice, you not only enhance the clarity of your message but also project a composed and assured demeanor, increasing your influence in high-stakes situations.

One day before the meeting we need to prepare and fix following moments: 1. You clearly know where you are going, what issue you are meeting with. All that remains is to present the product and yourself. 2. Prepare a presentation. 3. Carefully review the product or company presentation and be prepared to present. At the time the update presentation took place last time, something may have changed. Change it. 4. It is customary to demonstrate the presentation in pdf format. It just so happened. Take care of this. 5. Agree on the time and place of the meeting, be sure to check the availability of parking, the walking time to the office from the underground, and other details. 6. Check availability of business cards.

A notable example is my involvement in a Telecom M&A deal. Precise communication was crucial, and extensive preparation involved rehearsing potential questions from stakeholders. This preparation ensured a seamless presentation, instilling confidence in the client's leadership and contributing to successful negotiations.

Engagement is crucial in high-stakes communication because it fosters a connection and builds trust between the speaker and the audience. When you actively engage with your audience, showing interest, empathy, and respect, you create a positive and collaborative atmosphere. This allows you to understand their needs, concerns, and perspectives better, enabling you to tailor your message accordingly. By engaging with your audience, you can address any issues or conflicts constructively, leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making. Ultimately, engagement helps to build strong relationships, enhance understanding, and create a sense of mutual respect and cooperation.

When you aim to foster a genuine and meaningful connection with someone, there are several key elements to bear in mind. Beyond the words you choose and the tone you employ, it's imperative to be attuned to non-verbal cues, such as body language, as they play a significant role in effective communication. Moreover, when you find yourself in a situation where you believe improvements can be made in the way information is exchanged, it's often more productive to initiate the conversation with a positive and forward-thinking approach, such as saying, 'What if...' rather than immediately critiquing or opposing the other person's perspective. Taking the time to truly listen, without interruptions or judgments.

Just 3 tips from my side: ? Content management - understanding the meaning of the speech and the final results of the speech. Ability to structure a presentation and maintain focus on results throughout the entire presentation. ? Persuasive communication - presentation skills, the ability to convey any information in a language understandable to the audience. Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques. The ability to highlight key meanings in speech, use convincing arguments, images and metaphors, examples, etc. Ability to work with participants' questions. ? Audience management - knowledge of the principles of group dynamics, skills in managing the behavior of participants and their interaction (establishing contact etc.).

In the context of a SaaS startup, connecting with potential investors involved translating technical details into compelling narratives. Crafting a story that resonated with their vision and addressing their concerns fostered a strong connection. Engaging with them on a personal level built trust, increasing the likelihood of securing funding.

Influence is crucial in high-stakes communication because it allows you to effectively persuade and shape the opinions and actions of your audience. By using persuasive techniques, you can make your message more compelling and convincing, increasing the likelihood that your audience will accept your ideas, proposals, or solutions. Influence helps you overcome resistance or skepticism, and encourages your audience to see the value and benefits of your message. It allows you to address any concerns or objections, and present a persuasive case that resonates with your audience's needs and motivations. Ultimately, influence enables you to achieve your communication goals, drive positive change, and create mutually beneficial outcomes.

3 Reactive working methods could be usefull for everybody. Method "Consent/agreement" Recognition of the significance of the interlocutor’s statements and recognition of accuracy, exactingness, critical thinking, etc. Method "Geisha" ("geisha" - a person of art) Pause + glance + smile + addressing the name + emphasizing the person’s initiative + expressing confidence in a prosperous future. Method "Special role in the group" The resistant participant may lack attention or power. We give him what he needs. Special videos: timekeeper, moderator, expert, observer, treasurer, etc.

During an international expansion project for a Pharma company, I had to influence regulatory bodies across multiple countries. Tailoring messages to highlight the benefits of the expansion for local economies, emphasizing compliance, and addressing concerns effectively led to obtaining necessary approvals and demonstrating the power of persuasive communication.

Adaptability is crucial in high-stakes communication because it allows you to effectively navigate the unpredictable and dynamic nature of the situation. Being adaptable means being able to quickly assess and respond to the changing circumstances, feedback, and reactions of your audience. It enables you to tailor your message and approach to effectively address any challenges or objections that arise. By being flexible and responsive, rather than rigid and scripted, you can maintain credibility and build rapport with your audience. Adaptability also allows you to seize opportunities and adjust your strategy in real-time, maximizing your chances of achieving the desired outcome.

In the fast-paced world of BTL Marketing, adapting to unforeseen challenges is crucial. For instance, when a marketing campaign faced unexpected regulatory hurdles, swift improvisation involved revising the communication strategy to align with compliance requirements while maintaining the campaign's essence. This adaptability salvaged the project's success.

Also some methods could be usefull. Method "Marcus Aurelius" “Do what you must, and let it be what will be.” Ignore resistance and continue working. The “Does everyone agree with this?” method The method involves using the energy of the group. Address to group members: - Does everyone agree with this? - Colleagues, let's decide whether we want to discuss this issue now... - Maybe someone wants to answer this question themselves? "Request" method Suggestion to wait until the speaker finishes his thought: - Just a minute, let me agree (using soft intonation).

Influencing is grounded in trust and relationships. It's not 'once and done.' Like growing a plant, relationships take time and effort to bloom. You need to tend to the soil before you plant the seed, then return to water the seed, then weed and trim the plant ... 1. Identify stakeholders: Who can support and make your high-stakes idea a reality? 2. Relationship management: How is your relationship with the key stakeholders? What can you do to foster a relationship before the high-stakes conversation - to establish trust? 3. Strategic alignment: How exactly does your idea align with business strategies or objectives? What value does your idea bring to the business? 4. Key messages: Develop 3 key messages to communicate to stakeholders.

In my opinion, there are three main ingredients to bring influence and impact in conversations and negotiations: ?? Be assertive and concise - use a doctor-frame attitude that is assertive and straight to the point. ?? Be confident - be authentic, come from a place of flow, and not try to be what you think they want. ?? Know your stuff - show your passion and knowledge behind your point or idea. And, of course, be likable by listening, engaging, and using short stories to get everyone engaged.

Instead of presenting raw data or facts, craft a compelling narrative that resonates with your audience emotionally. Share anecdotes, examples, or case studies that illustrate your key points and connect with the listeners on a personal level. Storytelling helps humanize complex information, making it more relatable and memorable. It engages your audience, builds trust, and effectively conveys your message, even in situations where tension or stakes are high. The power of a well-told story can leave a lasting impression, influencing perspectives and decisions.

Consider the power of silence. Strategically using pauses in high-stakes situations can convey confidence, command attention, and emphasize key points. Purposeful pauses can add an impactful dimension to your communication and enhance your influence and presence.

Navigating high-stakes situations with influence and impact takes a deliberate blend of strategy and empathy, wrapped in a confident yet relatable delivery. Manage emotions by opening your mind, separating personal feelings, and viewing others as rational beings. Shift your mindset, focusing also on the benefits/consequences of remaining silent. Create a safe environment by expressing positive intentions and genuine respect. This encourages open dialogue & makes way for constructive exchanges. Actively seek diverse perspectives. Invite others to contribute, for a mutual exchange of ideas. Assess whether the dialogue has shifted to silence or violence in communication. Guide the conversation back to a constructive path.