Felicity H. Barber
I’m a speechwriter, executive communications specialist and coach. I write speeches, advise business leaders on messaging and coach people to deliver perfect presentations, pitches and speeches.
Whether you regularly speak in public and write online, or you mostly express yourself over email, being a good communicator is part of every single job description.
But how can you really know if it’s something you’re good at?
Here are 17 questions that can help you identify whether you’re awesome at communicating—or a bit rusty. (And don’t worry if it’s the latter, there are simple ways to improve each of these skills.)
People are bombarded with information every day. Make sure you know what it is you want to communicate—this could be as broad as your brand or as specific as the main point in one email. (And remember, if you can’t boil your message down in a sentence, chances are, it’s not clear.)
Related: How to Send Emails That People Won’t Dread Receiving (It’s Easier Than You Think)
Stories are a great way to connect with people on an emotional level—and they make you more memorable. Try and find a story that reinforces your message.
Related: 5 Steps to Turning Any Interview Answer Into a Memorable Story
If telling a story doesn’t seem quite right, consider using data. It’s a powerful way to reinforce your message or argument. And think about different ways to make thosestatistics stick in the minds of the people you’re speaking to.
Related: How to Quantify Your Resume Bullets When You Don’t Work With Numbers
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