Five Things That Will Help You Become A Better Communicator
One of the things I have been fascinated with over the past several years is communication, specifically what makes certain communicators effective.
Here are five things that I believe will help you become a more effective communicator.
#1 - "The Separation is in the Preparation"
I don’t know who said this phrase originally, but its so true - I can promise you when a communicator makes speaking look effortless, its because they have put so much time into developing that particular talk.
When I was the senior pastor of NewSpring Church - I usually preached a message between 15-20 times before I ever stood on stage to deliver it to the congregation.
Today as a speaker I often will write, review, rewrite and rehearse a message at least 15-20 times as well. I wish I could just “wing it” at time…but when I’ve tried it’s always seemed to bite me in the butt!
#2 - Use the Pause—As Well As Altering The Tone Of Your Voice
When I first began communicating on a weekly basis I typically did two things wrong every week…
I spoke as fast as I could…
…as loud as I could.
I would have so many people tell me every week, “we really enjoyed your speaking today, but we also wish you would slow down.”
I thought the people who said this simply could not appreciate my “truth bombs” that I was dropping all over the place…until…
…I gave a mentor of mine a cassette tape of a message I had preached and asked him to evaluate it. I can still remember him looking at me and saying, “You are a very gifted communicator, and I loved what you had to say, but you’ve got to slow down, use the pause and alter the tone of your voice.”
#3 - Study Stand Up Comedians
If you have not listened to “Jerry Seinfeld on Comedy” then you’ve GOT to do so ASAP. (You can get it on iTunes—I can promise you it will be the best ten bucks you’ve spent in developing your speaking ability!)
Recently I listened to Kevin Harts new audio book and was fascinated at how much intentional time and effort he put into writing, developing and rewriting jokes.
People pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to go and watch stand up comedy—which is essentially a guy or a girl communicating. The best ones don’t just “wing it” - there really is both an artistic and scientific approach to it.
#4 - Don’t Worry About “Filling Your Time!”
This is especially true if you are in some sort of ministry capacity - you have somewhere between a 30- and 45 minutes window you have to fill with the message.
I can make you two promises…
- One - No one is showing up hoping you will fill your time.
- Two - No one will be disappointed if you finish your talk early.
Figure out the one thing you want to say, the ONE THING you want people to walk away with - say it as many ways as you can and then trust the process to handle the rest.
#5 - Come Hang Out At My Preaching Workshop On November 8-9.
This event is going to be AWESOME as far as you developing as a communicator—as well as learning the science behind developing a sermon schedule that will absolutely add momentum to your church unlike you’ve ever experienced before.
We’re going to have a blast (and I promise I’ll be prepared!)