Have you ever walked away from a conversation or meeting and though “Yes! Everybody understood what we were trying to accomplish, we’re all on the same page!”

What typically happens within the next week?

One by one the team stops by your office seeking clarity on one or more of the topics you felt everyone was on the same page about.

How does this happen so often?

How can we feel so confident in our communication of ideas but be shown again and again that the ideas aren’t landing?

What if I told you that every conversation is made up of 4 completely different conversations?

It’s true, in every conversation there 4 separate conversations that we as leaders need to align to communicate effectively.

The 4 conversations are:

• The words you are actually saying
• What your body language, tone, and volume are saying
• What the listener is hearing
• What the listener is interpreting based on your body language, their relationship with you

Is it any wonder communicating ideas is difficult?

Don’t worry I’m going to give 5 tips for aligning you body language and tone with the message you’re trying to communicate.

1. Maintain Open Posture
   1. Confidence and Engagement: Stand or sit straight with your shoulders back and feet shoulder-width apart.
   2. Avoid Closed Positions: Refrain from crossing your arms or legs, as these can indicate defensiveness or disinterest.
2. Use Purposeful Gestures
   1. Emphasize Key Points: Use open, expansive gestures to highlight important information. Keep your hands visible and avoid fidgeting.
   2. Controlled Movements: Practice fluid, intentional gestures that complement your words without distracting from your message.
3. Facial Expressions and Eye Contact
   1. Match Your Message: Your facial expressions need to match the feeling behind the words you speak.
   2. Engage with Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact about 60% of the time to show interest and sincerity without appearing aggressive.
4. Tone and Voice Variation
   1. Variety is the Spice of Speaking: The human brain is programmed to recognize patterns. When we change the volume, pace, or tone of our voice it causes the brain to focus on each new variation, keeping the listener engaged.
   2. Pace and Pause: Use deliberate pauses to emphasize points and manage your pacing, reducing filler words and nervousness.
5. Practice and Feedback
   1. Self-Awareness: Record yourself speaking to identify areas for improvement in your body language and tone.
   2. Seek Feedback: Ask for constructive criticism from others to refine your communication skills.

How many of these have you made a conscious effort to develop in the past?