Choosing The Way You Communicate Speaks Volumes

How do you pick the method of communication?

Effective communication considers the right message, at the right time through the right channel.  Hopefully, the message you need to communicate has been crafted and considered (that should be a given), but what about the delivery method?  Picking the wrong channel could actually undermine the message you want to send. Imagine you have an employee celebrating 20 years of service to the company, sending a text message instead of making a speech and presenting an award at a company meeting might convey the wrong message, (no matter how many emojis you use.) The text message can’t carry the weight of honor you need it to.

High-level communicators know what they need to say and choose the best way to say it.

God is the perfect example of picking the right message at the right time in the right way.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.John 1:14 NIVTweet

God delivered his message in person. God could have delivered his message of salvation in many other ways, but he chose His most valued way to demonstrate the importance of the message.  Jesus, not only brought the message but also demonstrated it as an example for everyone to see and put into practice.

It is more important than ever to pick the most effective ways to communicate with your clients, employees, and vendors. There is a myriad of options to choose your means of communication, video calls, 1-1 meetings, staff meetings, phone calls, email, text, social media, podcasts, blogs, memos – to name a few, and with more people than ever working remote, how do you pick the best method?

It is useful to think about the strength of each channel.  I think we have all been in a meeting that could have been an email. Here are a few thoughts that might help you cultivate the best message.

Consider whether the message requires the support of body language or tone of voice. In any case of conflict resolution or in the case of conveying sensitive information this must be accounted for.  I have found that collaborative meetings are better done in person but that it is good to put some boundaries on them and to have a clear agenda with action items.