Four Ways Business Communication is Like Chess

Four Ways Business Communication is Like Chess

I’ve never been a great chess player, but I love to play! I even have a chess board on my dining room table, awaiting a friend who can play to say, "Let’s do this." I believe I won maybe twice in my life.

I love creating coaching analogies during sessions, and once in a while, that adage of “You’ve gotta play chess with them” comes out.

On the other hand, I feel like I win a lot of communication. With eight books and a ninth in the making, I immerse myself in neuroscience and mindfulness, yoga philosophy to use in real-life experiences, and breathwork to guide me in assisting clients in speaking from the heart. Anything kept inside causes disease.

While I haven’t played chess with anyone lately, I’m sharing this piece as a manifesto that my new chess player will arrive soon.

Here are four ways to consider playing chess in your communication game in business.

1. Don’t be intimidated by other players. They can have higher titles or different certificates, but they may not be able to show them authentically in real life. Some rank titles may just be pieces of paper hanging on a wall, others may shine brightly like a candle. Until someone behaves consistently with you professionally, they are not a part of your energy level. Aim higher. Move that queen! Communication is a game anyone can play- at any level. You must focus and have fun. If you want to succeed, take risks, make decisions based on logic, not emotion, and be authentic. Others will be very grateful to have a healthy ear and voice when your authentic persona shines through. Thank goodness you’re not like the others. Enjoy it. Being yourself when you communicate makes you a well-rounded player in life.

2. Don’t get stuck in your head. We have 60,000 thoughts per day, and over eleven million pieces enter the brain every second, but we can only retain 40 data. Consider that. Then, use what I have written called The Kind Communicator Philosophy to merge the mind, heart, diaphragm, spirit, and throat chakra to revitalize your heavy mind into breathing, shifting your energy and spirit, and speaking from the heart.

The mind gets quickly cluttered, and it can get hectic. Overthinking and analyzing every move- won’t help you win in business communication or in chess. If you want to worry, leave it for the choice between a wine or a beer at the bar or the butterscotch or the mint chocolate chip ice cream. Life is too short to get stuck in your head. Let your thoughts melt into your heart, breathe them in, open your spirit, and speak your truth.

3. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failing is such a societal word. It’s hyper-sensitized in this matrix of better-than or “rank.” If you’re communicating the truth, that’s the best risk you’ll take for the most advantageous reward. Fall with a bit of grace. Fall with equanimity. Everything that sets you back is keeping you there for the right move. Don’t be fooled that you messed up. Be rewarded that you’re not perfect because I know people who try to be, and they are exhausted.

4. Be prepared for anything. Being ready is the key to life. You’ll go up and down and all around. You lose, you win. Your opponent may read your mind for the next move and steal your piece (peace), and that may be because you’re not on your toes. Being prepared can be as easy as breathing, posture, taking it easy after work, laying on the floor midday to return to yourself, or taking a stroll down the street. There’s a great arrow analogy in my latest book, Silent Integrity that brings this idea to life.

If you’re a patient communicator, you’re on the right path. Chess is a slow game. It’s easy to be frustrated, especially when your opponent or other players are inconsistent. You will get thrown off your game, but even mistakes are a blessing in disguise.

Lessons of chess in business communication can be easily summed up to “Do you wanna play again?”

Sitting down, doing something other than a happy hour, watching Netflix, or maybe even scrolling on your phone can get your consciousness moving in the right direction. If we spend 95% in our subconscious and 5% in our conscious, start using that brain to tap into the present moment more often to capitalize on your lead in life’s greatest blessing: Your voice.

Speak up. Checkmate!

If you’re in the South Jersey area, I would love to get together to play chess anytime at a local restaurant this fall and winter. Message me for a game or three.

Elizabeth Barry is an executive coach who focuses on kind communication and self-mastery, donning eight spiritual development books that help readers speak their truth.