October 2010
 

The Voice of Authority by Dianna Booher 
The Voice of Authority
10 Communication Strategies Every Leader Needs to Know

(McGraw-Hill)
by Dianna Booher

Make Sure Your Nonverbal Cues Don't Contradict Your Words

Have you ever been involved in a conversation that went something like this: 

“Why did you get so upset at what I said?"

"Look, all I said, was 'blah, blah, blah.'”

“Yes, but what you meant was XXXXX.”

“All I said was, ‘blah, blah, blah.’”

“That’s may have been what you said, but what you meant was XXXXX.”

 

This discussion could go on for days until someone understands that the message is what someone hears and sees, not necessarily what someone says.

Tell a non-performer that her behavior is unacceptable. But smile and nod encouragement at the wrong time during your discussion, and she may walk away thinking “no big deal” and go back to the status quo. 

Announce to the media that the customer reports about defects in your product are isolated incidents. But do it with a furrowed brow and you may have lawyers soliciting class-action claims by noon.

Tell your team that “things are under control.” But do it with a nervous fidget and team members may wonder if you’ll hold your job long enough to report their recommendations.

Words alone never carry the complete message. Messages come from context, relationship, tone of voice, what was said, what was not said, and body language. Consistency produces clarity.


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and I'll respond in this newsletter or in my blog,
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Dianna Needs Your Help for a New Book
What’s THE most critical component of “personal presence”?

Appearance (attractiveness, grooming, dress)

Body language

Voice

The language you choose

Ability to think on your feet

Likeable personality

Expertise and professional competence

Integrity/trustworthiness

Other

What do you consider the most important reason for increasing your own “personal presence”?

Become more confident

Engage my listeners

Sell my ideas and projects

Increase my credibility in the organization

Earn raises and promotions

Facilitate productive meetings

Other

When it comes to your own “personal presence,” what is your strongest attribute?

Appearance (good looks, grooming, dress)

Body language

Voice

The language you choose

Ability to think on your feet

Likeable personality

Expertise and professional competence

Integrity/trustworthiness

Other

When it comes to your own “personal presence,” in what area do you think you could most improve?

Appearance (good looks, grooming, dress)

Body language

Voice

The language you choose

Ability to think on your feet

Likeable personality

Expertise and professional competence

Integrity/trustworthiness

Other

When you have difficulty shaping a clear message, to what do you attribute the problem?

Don't have clear understanding of situation/issue/question

Can’t think on my feet fast enough

Don't know my audience well

Information too technical for the audience

Bad news that will upset listeners

Other

What is the frequent complaint you hear about presentations in your organization?

Poor delivery skills of the presenter

Unclear message and purpose

Disorganized and rambling

Poor or inappropriate visuals

Too technical for the audience and purpose

Too long for the intended purpose

Didn’t handle questions well

Other

When leaders of your organization speak to employees, customers, or the public, the vast majority of them are articulate, engaging, and inspiring.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

My boss leads and manages meetings productively.

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Check the trait you consider most important in a leader of your organization:

Integrity/honesty

Likeable personality

Sense of humor

Willingness to listen to opinions from others

Intelligent/competent

Humility

Commitment/follow-through

Authenticity/genuineness

Concern for others

Communication skills

In general, how much does someone’s “personal presence” affect how much credibility they have with you?

A great deal

Somewhat

Not at all

  [See Results]
Thank you for taking our survey. Download Dianna's "10 Tips for a Powerful Presence" here
Kari Gates, Editor

















 

READ RECENT POSTS

What an Elevator Pitch Should Do

Appropriate Body Language as a Panelist—Part 3 of Presenting as a Panelist

Holding Your Own with Other Experts—Part 2 of Presenting as a Panelist


 

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by Dianna Booher

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