Communication
[kuh-myoo-ni-key-shuh n]
1. the act or process of communicating; fact of being communicated.
2. the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs.
Are you an effective communicator? Communicating your message effectively ensures your stakeholders stay informed, fosters collaboration amongst your team members and helps to align your goals throughout the planning process. In this Education Essentials, we'll provide you with practical advice for mastering the feedback process, bolstering your public speaking skills and reinforcing transparency in your communication.
Feedback
The concept of feedback does not have to be stressful or frustrating. A great way to approach it is to see it as an opportunity. Giving feedback can help build trust between you and your team. It can make your team stronger and function more productively. Receiving feedback can help you learn more about yourself and how others perceive you. Feedback can also improve your day-to-day performance and enhance your working relationship with others. It provides a chance to reflect on what is learned and develop a plan for implementation. While it can feel very uncomfortable in the beginning, the more you practice it, the more you are able to drown out the noise and really focus on how to give feedback effectively and receive feedback constructively.
Read more about feedback in a recent blog post from Sabrina Colquitt, CMP, and view the infographic below for quick tips around giving and receiving feedback. Do you have feedback recommendations to share? Post them to this discussion thread on TheNetwork.
Transparency in Communication
Often people assume organizational skills, or attention to detail, or project management savvy are the factors that contribute to effective event planning and execution. In a recent blog post, Meg D'Angelo shares why she considers communication skills and transparency to be the true secret to success in meetings and events. Learn more about why it's important to take time to understand what you're trying to accomplish, how to communicate those goals to key stakeholders and how to manage expectations.
Fine-Tune Your Public Speaking Skills
Public speaking can be daunting. Developing your public speaking skills will allow you to become a more poised, confident presenter, and reduce any anxiety around speaking in public. Some considerations for developing your public speaking abilities include maintaining stage presence, speaking from your diaphragm to maintain voice control and considering your body language when speaking in front of an audience.
Read more about how to improve your public speaking skills, and watch the video below for practical advice on how to signal confidence to your body from Amy Cuddy, author of New York Times best-seller Presence.
How FICP Meetings Professionals Communicate with Colleagues
Communication is key in the day-to-day life of a meetings professional. We asked the FICP community in a recent TheNetwork poll, "How do you prefer to communicate with your colleagues?" Here's how they responded:
Upcoming Communication Webinar
How to Avoid "Death by PowerPoint" - Microsoft PowerPoint for the Meetings Professional
July 16, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. CT
Presented by Corbin Ball, CSP, CMP, DES, MS, international speaker, consultant and writer
PowerPoint is a wonderfully helpful aid for both meetings professionals and their contracted speakers. Unfortunately, most professionals do not use it effectively and some use it in a manner that hinders getting the message across. This course, taught by a professional speaker who has used PowerPoint on five continents in more than 20 countries, is full of tips, ideas and suggestions on how to make your computer presentations more powerful and, as importantly, how not to use it distractingly.
Learn more about this webinar and register on the FICP Anytime page.
In Case You Missed It
Missed a webinar? Recordings are available on-demand in TheNetwork. Catch the most recent webinar recording, Microsoft Outlook for the Meetings Professional: It's Not the Same Old, Same Old with Organized Audrey, here.
#TBT - Kim Lear Speaks on Communicating Across Generations
At the 2018 FICP Annual Conference, Kim Lear spoke as part of the Speaker Showcase on "The Future Factors: Top Factors Impacting Relationships in an Age of Empowerment," and communicating in a multigenerational workforce.
Access Great Content Daily
Follow FICP on Facebook and Twitter to get important updates and timely articles. Here's what you may have missed this month: 12 Soft Skills Expert Communicators Must Cultivate.