4 Ways to Evolve Your Communication for the “New Normal”
By: Chris Cano M.B.A.
Tags: Communication, Employee Engagement, Energy Vampires, HR, Leadership

4 Ways to Evolve Your Communication for the “New Normal”

Communication has the ability to inspire people, bind them to a cause, and elevate those around them.

Several years ago I attended a fundraiser for a high school culinary program where the culinary academy fed a unique meal to more than 150 attendees with the hope of securing future employment for the students, and funding the efforts of the program. The event was impressive, but the most memorable moment for the majority of the attendees came with about two minutes left in the closing address. The head of the program stood on stage with his team of culinary students behind him. He thanked the room for their engagement, and then unpredictably proceeded to talk about himself for the next roughly five minutes. More than half the room turned to their cell phones for an escape from his painful peacocking, when all of the sudden he realized that no one was paying attention. He stopped talking for about 30 seconds, and the silence drew everyone back to the stage. The next two minutes were a powerful and humble address that called the room to engage with the program past their checkbooks, and through their actions. He shifted the room from disengaged to inspired, and connected his attendees to the cause of the students. Those two minutes warranted the standing ovation he received, and the students and program benefited greatly from his ability to connect with, and inspire the attendees.

COVID-19 has stretched our understanding of communication, and has forced us to adapt. Delivering a message has shifted from something that could be done in person, to something that in many cases must be done virtually. Teams have been reduced in size, and workplace communication norms are shifting. 55% of all communication is non-verbal, 38% is vocal, and only 7% is verbal. So only 7% of our communication is what we say, and 93% is how we say it. I know that I personally use facial expressions and inflection as primary communication tools, and my hands generally move so much that I could probably guide a plane to the gate if I had to. If you are anything like me you are feeling lost as your mask hides your facial expressions and muffles your inflection. It’s also nearly impossible to use your hands on a conference call or virtual meeting, which have shifted in many cases to the primary forms of communication.

Here are four ways that you can evolve your communication style to meet the changing workplace.

Communicate with the Intent to Give — Simon Sinek has a great public speaking training, and the first message he delivers is that you must determine what you will give your audience before you decide how you are going to do it. Avoid communicating from a position of what you need, and rather focus on what the message you are delivering can give to the audience you are targeting. Communication may be a two way street, but start with them before you seek a response.

Connect Beyond Words — Our non-verbal cues are shifting. Focus on understanding what those new norms are, and adjust your style accordingly. If you are on video conference calls watch how many times an attendee looks away, looks at their phone, or appears disinterested. Chances are you are doing the same thing. Do you find yourself checking your phone for updates and messages while having a conversation with someone else? You are instantly telling that person that whatever is on your phone is more important than they are. The “new normal” is real, and you will need to modify your delivery to be successful.

Keep it Simple — Woodrow Wilson famously said; “If I am to speak for ten minutes, I need a week for preparation. If an hour, I am ready now”. Your team needs clear concise communication now more than ever. Don’t be the person that filibusters a call or meeting while searching for your point. Be prepared and respect the time of those you are dealing with. Everyone is spread thin these days, and focused communication can give someone back the gift of time.

Inspire Past Negativity — It is incredibly easy to point out what is wrong or broken these days. It is infinitely more challenging and necessary to point out what is right. Jon Gordon, author of the Energy Bus, calls people who seemingly suck the life out of you, energy vampires. Energy Vampires present as realists, pragmatists, or top performers that get a pass because of their results. They should have never been acceptable in any organization, but are infinitely more toxic now with all of the chaos impacting the world. Don’t be an energy vampire, and do not allow them in your organization. Communication in the workplace should inspire action, provoke thought, encourage interaction, and foster growth.

The head of the culinary program realized that communication has to be about others, and when he did everything changed. It is very easy to avoid change, it is much harder to realize that you must. A study by Bridge Works showed that 74% of millennials and generation Z self identified that in person communication is their weakest form of communication. How we connect and communicate is evolving, and COVID-19 is just pushing it forward that much quicker. The new normal will require more of all of us, and your message may be the most impactful change you can make.

Take time to evaluate and evolve your communication style today.