Your New Normal: Faster, Deeper, Better Connections
Bill Jensen
Seasoned Strategist and Proven Problem Solver: Expert in strategy, leading complex, tech-driven, global, enterprise-wide transformations and change programs.
Part of a series making Post-COVID Future of Work more personal. Most thought leaders are opining on THE New Normal — how COVID has changed everything. Here we dig into what, exactly, that means to YOU.
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s the value of our connections and relationships. For a full year, we all longed for real hugs, hang-time with close friends and teammates, and non-Zoomed conversations.
For decades, I have coached people on the fastest path to deeper and more powerful connections, and greater clarity — all on accelerated pace.
The secret is commonsensical. It begins with empathy. Most of us communicate from our perspective. But if you structure your thoughts, ideas, and information in ways that your boss/ audience/ teammates/ customers need them — from their perspective — that connection goes a lot deeper, a lot faster, a lot easier.
And while I developed a branded structure — Know, Feel, Do — many communication coaches have developed something similar. Because it’s based on three universal, basic human needs:
- Our need to quickly understand
- Our need to feel an emotional connection
- Our need for focused, simple actions
For example: Master coach Lisa Nichols has developed the S.N.A.A.P. method (Super Networking at an Accelerated Pace). She has three networking points that consistently deliver powerful connections within 30 to 60 seconds:
- Results: What you’re working on, and how that’s making people’s lives better
- WIIFM (What’s in it for me?): An emotional connection with, or reward for, the other person
- End with a Question: Engage them in what you just shared, leading to action
Both Lisa’s and my and many others’ models work, super quickly, because they are based on our needs as human beings — how and why we need to connect.
So whether it’s in your emails, your meetings, your presentations, your job interviews, your networking, or even your kids — (yes, it’s that universal) — always, always…
> SIMPLIFY: Everyone is on info-overload. And that gets worse every day. Your message must compete for their attention. 3—5 seconds virtually. 30—60 seconds face-to-face. (And then go deeper after that.)
> Communicate with EMPATHY, from their perspective…
- Know: The one thing they need to understand or buy into
- Feel: Bond with them emotionally
- Do: Focused, targeted, specific actions
And, of course, listen with empathy too! All too often, most of us listen to respond instead of listening to truly connect with what the other person is expressing. Connecting with them is a two-way street!
Additional resources, examples:
- Virtual Meetings (Karin Reed)
- Communication Tools (Jensen)
- Ultimate 10-Slide Presentation (Jensen)
- Work Smarter Through Better Questions (Jensen)
Jensen Site, Twitter. Bill’s new book, The Day Tomorrow Said No, is here! It’s a powerful fable about the future of work, designed to revolutionize conversations between leaders, the workforce, educators, and students. It’s THE book for a post-COVID world! Go here to get your copy for FREE!
Individual and Team Coach, International Leadership Development, OD consultant.
3 年Easy to understand, difficult for people to do. I work with highly educated people who understand the concept but struggle to put it in practice! Maybe F and D have to hit home, first?
I help consultants, real estate agents and salespeople showcase their expertise, grow their reach, and lead their markets with innovative technology. DM me to check it out | WSJ Bestselling Author
3 年“Communicate with EMPATHY, from their perspective.” - I agree, Bill! When we’re studying our customers, we must try to see past what they might be telling us. What do they really need? We should listen to their underlying concerns and needs and understand both their logical and emotional sides - then incorporate their voice in the process.