5 Life-Changing Communication Skills EVERY Employee Should Be Taught (Yet Few Are):

Almost four years ago we embarked on a mission at my agency, IMPACT, to teach our entire team to become world-class communicators. It has been an amazing journey since then, as we’ve now taught these same skills to the organizations we work with in a coaching capacity. In the future, I’ll have a full book coming out on all of these principles, but here’s a great starter.

And as you read these, make sure to ask yourself the following question:

?What would be the impact if my entire team mastered these skills?

?5 Life-Changing Communication Skills EVERY Employee Should Be Taught (Yet Few Are):

1. Active Listening

?Want to improve culture? Then the key is to help every member of your team truly feel "heard." When we do our communication trainings with clients (especially sales teams) we have a series of exercises we put them through that tests their ability to “listen” and ask deep follow-up questions. Fewer than 10% of participants, including the most senior sales professionals, do this well.

?2. Question First

?This is the framework of communication my next book is built around and is also the newest keynote speech I'm giving. Question First is the model we use at IMPACT when coaching all our clients. The entire premise to Question First is that of helping others on your team (especially when they come to you with a question) to be able to “self-discover” the answer for themselves, instead of you simply “telling” them what to do. Done well, Question First creates world-class leaders, problem solvers, and stronger teams.

?3. Conflict Resolution

?There will always be conflict in business and life. But the way we handle conflict varies wildly from person to person. What would happen if every member of your team knew an actual framework that would help them work through these issues when they occur, eliminating much of the drama that comes with moments of conflict?

?4. Yes...And

?Although “Yes…And” is now taught in many settings, I don’t believe the traditional “improv” definition lands the full scope of its impact. When understood (and lived), Yes…And teaches us how to handle every negative moment, comment, etc. that comes our way and turn it into a positive. Yes…And also teaches how to control the energy flow of a room, taking whatever occurs and then using it in a way to build towards the goal. Without going into great detail, there’s much more here to discuss, but a full understanding of Yes…And is utterly life-changing.

5. Radical Candor

Based on Kim Scott’s excellent book, Radical Candor is essential to help your team learn to speak very directly while also speaking in a high-caring way. Most people think “directness” and “caring” are like a pendulum, and if you focus on one, you lose the other. But the greatest communicators know this truth: You can absolutely be the most caring, AND most direct person in the room at any given time.

Now for the audit: How well does your team understand and apply the principles above? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Interested in learning more about how your team can learn these skills? Talk to one of our coaches today.