The document discusses the importance of communication and its impact. It argues that communication is key to conversations, negotiations, relationships and presentations. However, communication can be difficult due to human fallibility, situational complexity, and pressure. The best way to prepare is through thorough preparation, including understanding context, defining aims and methods, focusing on a clear theme, and anticipating questions. Regular practice and learning from others can also improve communication skills over time.

1. Does Communication Matter?
Antoni Lee
Tuesday, 15 November 2011

2. Prologue: But Isn’t Communication Amazing?
Celebrated linguist, Steven Pinker, calls speech
“a paradigm of engineering excellence.” Like
eyeballs and walking, it appears to work so well, we
take it for granted.
But how well does it work, really? And does is
matter? And can we do anything to improve it?
Read on...
Tuesday, 15 November 2011

3. 1. How Important is
Communication?
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4. Poor Communication
1. Bores
2. Confuses
7. Wastes time
3. Frustrates
8. Kills morale
4. Worries
9. Loses deals
5. Angers
6. Obfuscates
Tuesday, 15 November 2011

5. Great Communication
1. Interests
2. Informs
7. Saves time
3. Clarifies
8. Lifts morale
4. Relieves
9. Wins deals
5. Balances
6. Pleases
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6. So...
Communication is always damaging or enriching
our business and relationships.
It is the key ingredient in our conversations,
negotiations, relationships and presentations.
Communication is important.
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7. 2. How Effective Is Our
Communication?
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8. Against What Measure?
• Confidence
• Articulation
• Listening
• Presentation
• Negotiation
• Self-Awareness
• Moderates style for others
• Other
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9. Further, We All Have Blind Spots
• We’re not our own best assessors, all of the time
• We don’t always know how our communication is
being received by others
• We shift in our opinions of our own performance
between over and under confidence, based on
nothing rational
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10. We Can’t Know Without Feedback
• Clients
• Colleagues
• Peers What do others
• Friends think?
• Family
• Experts
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11. 3. Why is Communication Difficult?
At Least Three Reasons
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12. 1. Human Imperfection
• In thought
• In emotion
• In character
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13. 2. Situational Complexity
• Topics can be difficult to comprehend, interpret
and explain
• Situations can obtain multiple viewpoints and
competing perspectives
• Differing viewpoints can seem weak or strong
depending on who presents them and how
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14. 3. Pressure
• Stakes are high
• Expectations are high
• Emotions are high
• Misunderstanding is possible or likely
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15. 4. What Can We Do?
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16. Your single best attack and defence is to...
P R E P A R E
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17. CAST Preparation Model
Context: Every situation, occasion and audience is
different, somehow. Find out how. This informs and
focuses your communication.
Aims: What must you achieve?
System: What methods, structure and tools will you
use?
Theme: Focus. You’ve done this when you’re entire
communication fits into one sentence.
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18. Further Suggestions
• Master your nerves. Having nerves says you’re human
and awake to the risks. Butterflies can fly in formation.
• Stand and Speak Up. Sitting down hinders you in
more ways than you’re aware. Project. Lift your voice
to suit the occasion.
• Bring You. On a Leash. Your personality can be a key
to help audiences unlock your ideas and content.
• Predict questions and roadblocks.
Deal with them.
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19. And Periodically
• Learn from others
• Great communicators you respect
• Poor communicators you don’t
• Sharpen your skills, use and improve your talent
• Study
• Train
• Speak, present, negotiate.
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20. Communication Training:
Media Interview Techniques
Issue & Crisis Communication
Speaking and Presenting
Conversation Dynamics
Contact Us
Antoni Lee
Managing Director
antoni@rhetorica.com.au
+61 421 993 165
www.rhetorica.com.au
Tuesday, 15 November 2011