The 4 Languages of Communication

Bees have a special way of letting their hive know where the food is. They dance!?

The “dance floor” is inside the honeycomb and bees use it to communicate the location of pollen to the other members of the hive. When the food is nearby, a bee will dance in a small circle “The “Round Dance” and when the food is further away a bee will perform “The Waggle Dance” wagging her tail in a certain frequency to show the precise distance and direction of the food from the hive.

Human communication is far more complex. We?spend ?80 percent of our waking hours communicating while 60,000 thoughts are circling inside our heads. What would we call this dance?

We use words to speak and write but often forget about the non-verbal superpowers of language.

There are in fact four languages of communication. They are the written language, spoken language, body language and listening language.

At any given interaction we participate in an exchange of information, either giving or receiving, in one or two of these languages. We tend to associate communication with verbal and written skills, both are essential for effective communication but the most impactful leaders are those who can transfer information through their energy and their ability to actively listen and align all languages.

So let's explore each of the languages:

Written Language?allows us to share our thoughts and ideas in a structured manner. What you are currently reading is my use of the written language. And I’m using the advice I give all my clients: Stop oversharing. Keep it simple. Get to the point. Don’t use complicated language to sound professional. “Thanks” is better than “Cordially” to end an email. If you get to the essence of your blog post in 250 words, end there. And double check your spelling!?

Spoken Language?brings our words to life through tone, pitch and cadence. You might have the most fascinating thing to say but if you are speaking in a monotone voice you will lose your audience. You want to access a range in your voice that allows us to feel something as you speak. It’s about getting animated, speaking more from your toes than your heels. And letting yourself feel the words that you are saying. Most speakers fail at fully engaging their audience because they focus on telling a story rather than feeling it. When you feel and connect to your words, you not only use your vocal cords but your entire body to convey a message. And your audience will notice.

Body language?conveys unspoken feelings. Each time you connect with someone, you're contributing to an intricate dance of unspoken cues. Your facial expressions, gestures, posture and eye contact reveal powerful messages that others pick up on. These signals have the power to calm, build trust, and draw people in, or they can discourage, confuse, and sabotage your intentions. The nonverbal conversation doesn't pause when your words do. Even in silence, you continue to broadcast these subtle, yet impactful messages. I often say this to my clients,?your energy speaks before your mouth does.?Are you aware of the energy you transmit?

Listening Language, often the most overlooked, is the key to fully grasping and appreciating what others are trying to convey. George Bernard Shaw said it best,?“The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”?We listen to reply, not to understand. How many times have you been speaking when someone interrupts to say "I know just how you feel,” or “I had the same thing happen to me. Let me tell you about it!” When people fail at listening they are busy creating their own ideas. They miss the opportunity to understand and make it about their agenda, not yours. You might think you're listening, but the reality is, you spent the time formulating a reply while hearing the sound of someone's voice talking.?Are you familiar with the 3-levels of listening?

BONUS: Visual Language?

My mother had an extraordinarily beautiful way of presenting the food she'd cook. To this day I believe that we eat with our eyes first. It's not different when meeting someone for the first time. It takes a mere seven seconds to make a first impression, and a lifetime to change it, so how you present yourself matters more than you think. How you put yourself together, your smile, your posture, what your website looks like, how you present your documents, how you show up in your digital presence, they all speak volumes.

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I don't have to tell you how important effective communication is to your leadership impact. But what you may not know is that what comes out of your mouth and what you communicate through your body may be two totally different things. Align your languages for bigger impact!

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The 4 Languages Of Communication is a workshop I created for high-potential leaders looking to amplify their Influence + Impact. To learn more about the results these leaders are experiencing by taking this program, contact me at [email protected] or send me a message here. Let's dance!