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10 Commandments of Good Communication

The document outlines 10 commandments of communication for effective speaking. It provides guidance on listening to understand the audience, saying what you mean and following through, using concise language, aligning your message with the audience, using specific examples, ensuring your non-verbal communication matches your message, structuring your speech, speaking clearly, focusing on benefiting the audience, and maintaining a positive outlook while remaining humble.

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Steven Fernandes
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82 views

10 Commandments of Good Communication

The document outlines 10 commandments of communication for effective speaking. It provides guidance on listening to understand the audience, saying what you mean and following through, using concise language, aligning your message with the audience, using specific examples, ensuring your non-verbal communication matches your message, structuring your speech, speaking clearly, focusing on benefiting the audience, and maintaining a positive outlook while remaining humble.

Uploaded by

Steven Fernandes
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The 10 Commandments of Communication

How to speak like a leader.


By Michael Landrum, ATMB

1. Listen generously. Emerson said: “First seek to understand, then to be


understood.” How do you listen to an audience? Do your research. Find out who
they are, what they need and want, and what they expect from you. When you
step to the lectern, pause and listen. Are they ready to hear you? During your
speech, keep listening. Pay attention to them. Are they leaning forward,
backward or on each other? Be willing to depart from your prepared remarks to
recover your rapport with them. Ask questions. Even something as simple as “Is
that clear?” can reestablish contact.
2. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Aren’t these two phrases the
same? No indeed: “Say what you mean” is about telling the truth, “Mean what
you say” is about making a commitment, keeping your promise, honoring your
word. Have something meaningful to say. Step to the lectern with the intention of
making a difference to your audience.
3. Use the fewest words with the fewest syllables. I run afoul of this one all the
time. It’s the main reason I rewrite so often, looking for big, two-dollar words I can
swap for a single 10-cent syllable. Delete therefore, insert so. That’s real
economy in writing. Remember that the basic unit of communication is not the
word but the idea.
4. Align with your audience. We may consider it our task to speak to the
audience, but it is sometimes more important to speak for them. Express those
thoughts and feelings that you share with them. Even if you think they are wrong
and you are the advocate of sweeping change, you must first understand and
articulate their feelings. Great leaders know that leadership begins with the
pronoun we.
5. Be specific. Use stories, anecdotes, parables and examples rather than
generalities and abstractions. This is a tough one for some people. They love to
wander through a topic in the abstract, scattering generalities as they go. The
great teachers and speakers pepper their talks with vivid, detailed examples. “He
seemed upset as he left” is general. “He blew his nose, kicked the dog and
slammed the door” is specific.
6. Suit the action to the word, the word to the action. Don’t say “I’m glad to be
here” while looking at your wristwatch. Be aware of your non-verbal
communication. Your gestures, posture, facial expressions, energy, tone of
voice, and a thousand other tiny, unuttered elements actually carry the true and
specific meaning of your communication. We can understand the words “I love
you” well enough. But their true importance, their actual meaning, is all wrapped
up in how they are spoken, and by whom.
7. Structure your speech. One valuable way to make your talk memorable is to
speak to a structure and make your listeners aware of it. Share with them the
form of your thoughts as well as the content and they will be able to follow more
complex ideas. It will be easier for you to remember, too. People appreciate the
scenery more with a glance at the road map every now and then.
8. Speak to be understood. Have the courtesy to develop your voice so that all
may hear you. You groom your appearance, so why not cultivate your voice?
With a little effort it can be strong, crisp, clear and various in texture, color and
range. It’s sad when speakers expend their energy to create a vivid, well-
constructed talk and then whisper, mutter or mumble.
9. Speak for the benefit of others. Serve your audience well by keeping their
interests foremost in your mind. This is the golden rule of speaking. As an
audience member you can easily tell when a speaker is self-serving. Nothing
communicates more clearly than intention.
10. Speak from your highest self. The highest self is where hope resides. To lead
effectively requires a courageous, positive, optimistic view. As any astronaut will
tell you, if you get high enough you will be in perpetual sunshine. There must be
a caveat attached to this rule, however: Beware of elevating yourself with a high
horse. Be humble. Having an opinion is a meager accomplishment. On most
occasions a modest demeanor improves communication.

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