|
|
Success – in leadership, marriage, career and relationships – greatly depends on communication skills. Yet, many of the best thinkers and workers never advance beyond a certain level because of their inability to communicate effectively, no matter how great or important their message. How can an aspiring leader grow beyond the barrier and improve his communication? By examining Jesus’ model in Matthew 13:
1.
Simplify the message. (It’s not
what you say, but how you say it.) In Matthew
13, Jesus told many stories to make His teachings understandable. Since every communicator’s goal is
understanding, make every effort to:
a.
Make it clear, concise and specific.
Jesus
didn’t use any concepts or terms that His audience wouldn’t understand. He also stuck with specific ideas and didn’t
cloud them with unnessary or vague explanations.
b.
Repeat it often. In Chapter 13 of Matthew
alone, Jesus told seven parables, some illustrating the same lesson. He repeated His message as many times – and
in as many different ways – as needed.
c.
Forget about impressing.
Seldom can an
audience be impressed with both the speaker and the subject. Let them be moved by the truth of the
subject, not by you.
d.
Emphasize the familiar.
Jesus talked
about farming to farmers, baking bread to those who did it everyday, and
fishing to those for whom it was their livelihood. The more your listeners identify with the message, the more they
can apply it to their own lives.
2.
See the person. (It’s not what
you say, but how they see it.) It’s impossible to
effectively communicate to an audience without knowing something about
them. For a leader, there may be times
when you need to speak to a large or varied audience. To reach them where they are, ask yourself the following
questions before you communicate.
a.
Who is your audience? What are their ages, backgrounds,
professions, prejudices, etc.? Will any
of their inclinations steer you toward some explanations and away from others?
b.
What are their questions?
What’s
important to them? Are they preoccupied
with a specific issue? Could the issue block
communication until it’s addressed?
c.
What needs to be accomplished? If you
could achieve one specific result through this communication, what would it be?
3.
Seize the moment. (It’s not
what you say, but when you say it.) Timing truly is everything,
and a leader needs to seize the opportunity at hand. When the crowds made it impossible for Jesus to teach on the
shore (Matthew 13:2), He climbed into a boat and preached from there. Jesus stuck with one pattern: when the people came, He spoke to them, but
when they rejected His message, Jesus withdrew. Watch to see when your listeners are ready, then seize the
opportunity.
4.
Show the truth. (It’s not what you say, but how you show it.) Every time you speak, your audience asks on
foundational question, “Why should I listen to you?” They want to know if you’re credible. What they really want to find out is…
a.
Can I trust you? Do you say what you mean,
and do what you say?
b.
Do you care for me? Your listeners are more
interested in your love for them than the topic.
c.
Do you know your subject? They
need to respect your expertise before they can respond to your instruction.
5.
Seek the response. (It’s not
what you say, but how they respond to it.)
When
He finished teaching, Jesus usually asked His audience, “Have you understood
what I have told you?” Effective
communication always gives your listener something to feel, remember
and do.
We can improve our communication skills, and we can accomplish it by following Jesus’ model. That’s important. After all, aren’t we trying to share His same message today?