March is here and the New Year’s resolutions from January may already be forgotten. While this is the main time of year when people have vowed to “get in shape,” how many practitioners have vowed to get their communication skills in “good health?” With regular use, our communication muscles will be fit, and we will notice a change in how we provide solutions to the challenges we face.
Set a Goal
Will this be personal or professional? What does the betterment look like to you? Maybe you want more than one goal? Think to yourself, “What communication style am I? When is my communication not clear? Where is communication important?”
Amber Hadley zigzags across multiple states as a government relations manager. Her goal started with a desire to learn more about her industry. “In my line of work, it is essential that I have a basis of understanding of the financial industry,” Amber shared. “In my previous career, I didn’t think much past budgets and income flow. Now I am using our company learning system to understand financial services. I’m more confident in my communication with policy makers and the public.”
Formulate a Plan
The plan may be a 5-minute scribble or a full-blown Google sheet, but make the plan. Think about your budget (monetary and time) and what communication muscles need to make “gains.”
“I created a Google sheet to keep track of my cake baking,” states Brian Fewell of Minnesota. “My goal is to enter the Ramsey County Fair and then the Minnesota State Fair in the angel food cake competition. This is a personal goal for me, you know, to be more open to feedback and, in turn, provide positive and productive feedback. When I am assessing my client’s marketing ideas or asks, I often forget that it can be difficult to hear that critical opinion. This is a chance to motivate myself and rethink my approach.” When asked how the plan helped him with his communication skill-growing goal Brian stated, “My plan was progressive; it really started last year. From the first thought of how my feedback was perceived to thinking I should put myself out there to receive feedback (and how to get that in a similar manner as my clients were getting from me) was a solid 9 months. Typing it out made it ‘real’ for me.”
Perform a Reality Check
How much time are you able to dedicate to grow your communication? Is a 12-month course that requires a huge commitment, really going to fit your life? Or will you need to find an online skill growing method? There are many 8-week certification courses offered for communicators on the hunt to improve their marketing, storytelling, and content creation skills. Perhaps buying a couple of Audible books will fit your busy schedule better?
Seek Support
Find a team or a friend that will be just as excited as you to hear about what you are learning. A friend that will champion you on your quest and one to lend an ear if there are challenges. Mayo Clinic believes finding support for weight-loss efforts can mean the difference between success and failure. The same can be applied to communication skill-building efforts. Let your friends know how much you appreciate their support and be a support if they are on a skill-building journey, too.
Change it Up
If your communication plan is feeling stale, rethink your plan to find where you can insert some fun; sign up to earn your Remote Pilot Certificate or try a fun improv class. Some communities offer adult education workshops that are a day or two. Commit to trying at least one type of learning.
Celebrate the Wins
Did you attend a half-day workshop or read a book that accelerated your skills? Celebrate! Text a friend about reaching your goal or add a review on Amazon for the books you read. Voicing what you learned to the outside world may start a communication revolution!
“When I think about celebrating the wins, I think about ‘right-sizing my goals.’ I am a person who is not very easily pleased,” answers Shekinah Young, a podcaster and corporate social responsibility professional. “I have high standards for myself and there is no other option but to perform. So, sometimes I have to, on the way to success—I have to pause and celebrate the small wins.” Shekinah continues, “Sometimes I bite off more than I can chew because I am overly optimistic about what is possible. I have to think about more than running to the finish line.”
What are your communication skill-building goals? Share with AWC on our social channels!
About the Author
Jazzy is an involved member of the Association for Women in Communications – she is a member of the national Marketing Communications committee. She is also the Editor of the monthly member newsletter, the Communique.
Graphic designer, print versus web geek, and page source viewer, Jazzy Mac loves to dig into the visual and language side of messages. She is a strong advocate of abolishing the silos between marketing, public relations, graphic design, and communications. Jazzy is currently the integrated marketing manager for a sports and entertainment company based out of Omaha, Nebraska.
Jazzy is a frequent guest speaker at St. Paul College and facilitates technical design & strategic communication workshops throughout the Midwest. She is a board member of Participatory Wholistic Ministry, a non-profit focused on providing textbooks to rural areas in Bolivia.
