How to Communicate with Professionals in any Industry
Hint: it is all about perception and preparation
It goes without saying that communication is just one of those things that we tend to misunderstand. In fact, when we think about how we should be communicating with others, oftentimes, we overthink it and make ourselves go crazy by wondering, How did this person perceive what I said? Do they think this or that about me now? Oh gosh, I shouldn’t have said that.”
And when it comes to communicating with professionals or talking to people with whom we are expected to be very professional, the stress and self-doubt can be even worse. In this article, I will be giving you a few tips to feel better prepared to communicate with professionals without questioning your every word afterward.
Be Prepared
This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised to see how much preparation can help you get started. For example, if you are heading out to a conference or if you already know in advance who you will be speaking to, the best idea is simply to be ready and to know all about what they do and who they are (in a non-creepy way, of course). This will make the communication much easier as you will stand there confident that you know enough about the person you are speaking to keep up a conversation. So, be prepared and do your research.
Be Confident
Of course, you may ask yourself how to be prepared if you do not know the person. Well, it is quite simple: work on your self-confidence. According to this study from the Journal of Health and Education Promotion, there are little to no links between taking risks and having an increased level of confidence– so, it’s all in your head! Indeed, we tend to think that we will take more risks by being more confident, but science shows that this isn’t the case. Instead, it’s about building on your confidence first and just deciding not to let your fears or anxious feelings take hold of you. Know what you have to offer and how your “package” can benefit the person you are speaking to.
Respect Is Key
Finally, it’s important to mention respect. Unfortunately, too many people do not realize that the first impressions they give to someone will stay with them forever. This is why you need to keep in mind that respect is key. For example, this study looks at how feeling like one is respected and a part of the team is key to success in any organization. And so, if you are speaking to someone at the workplace, do not underestimate the power that respect can have. Not only will it have a great impact on the atmosphere throughout the workplace, but it’ll make you feel much more confident about the way others perceive you too.
That’s a wrap on the three main tips for this article. But before I leave you, here are a final few tips to keep in mind. First, don’t be too casual– make sure to size the vibe of the room and the tone of the conversation before you talk to the person too openly. If you are being critical, keep it constructive as no one likes to feel judged. If this is an email, check your grammar and use the many tools available out there to help you. Hopefully, this article was helpful!
