As you strive to capture markets, scale operations, and excite various stakeholders, strong communication is crucial in every interaction.
You must help people understand your goals and support your plans.
“𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙮”
– Nat Turner
The Value of Communication
Here are some more reasons why great communication is key:
Collaboration. Build momentum, align interests, and prevent problems.
Learning. Discover new opportunities and prevent any potential flaws in your plans to mitigate risks.
Community. Encourage people to love your business and to engage others who may be interested.
Team. Excite and motivate your team to drive value. Here's an expert:
“𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙗𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.”
– Mike Krzyzewski
Ways to Improve
With the many benefits in mind, here are some practical tips to level up:
Discover Mutual Interests
People may support you because it piques their interest, gives them pleasure, or makes their life easier.
Ask people specifically why they rely on your business and what they would like to see more as you grow. Apply these insights in expanding.
Ask Many Questions
For deeper, more meaningful insights, ask both quantitative and qualitative questions.
The quantitative approach (ranking) provides metrics over time. Improve scores over time and if scores lower, address the change in sentiment.
The qualitative approach (open questions) encourages candor and new ideas for improvement and growth.
Apply a Unique Approach
There are different paths to reach others’ hearts and minds. For each stakeholder, decide their needs, preferred cadence, and best format.
The customized effort will result in a stronger connection and more helpful responses.
Amplify Your Audience
Build a positive community to encourage engagement and referrals. To do this, explain your plans around growth, new hires, and partnerships.
You may motivate your community further by offering referral bonuses for new customers, partners, and/or workers.
Design a Feedback Loop
Seek feedback by asking open-ended questions (e.g. “What would have been a better way for me to lead that meeting earlier?”).
When ideas are confusing, ask for an example of how they best learn or switch to another approach.
Strong communication is a lot of work, but as a startup leader, you need to invest in relationships and to minimize distractions.
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