I had a fascinating conversation with a young entrepreneur yesterday. We were a 20-year-old who just left college to put all her efforts into launching her own business talking with a 50-year-old who just left the corporate world to put all her efforts into launching her own business. There were some amazing overlaps in our experiences, and while I was able to give her some advice, she also had some great ideas for me.
One of the things she said really struck a chord. She complained that no one taught her generation how to communicate. Texts fly fast and free and everyone thinks they are getting their messages across, but there are constant miscommunications and misunderstandings. Feelings are hurt, and accounts are lost, and everyone seems bewildered by how it happened. Not to mention trying to talk to potential clients face to face and engage in a meaningful conversation.
Not that my generation is all that great in communicating either. Because, just like today, no one was teaching US how to talk to each other either. I have a college degree in Communications – all that meant, and apparently still means, is how to communicate your message to others via various media. No one was teaching us how to listen, understand, and absorb the meanings of what others were trying to say. Which face it, is a pretty important skill if you want to get to know someone better, and in the business world, to understand the needs of a client and how best to meet them.
One of the things I love about Toastmasters is that it is specifically designed to teach these kinds of communication skills. Most people, when you mention Toastmasters, think of it as “where you go to learn public speaking.” And while making speeches is a big part of it, for every speech there are evaluations and feedback and training on how to be an active listener. This was one of the reasons I joined in the first place. Anyone who has ever met me knows I love to talk. What I needed to learn was how to shut up and listen.
Check out this great TED Talk on “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation” – there is a lot of excellent advice here. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, young or old, or just simply trying to better understand, and be understood, by those around you, taking the time to learn how to communicate better is a great investment in yourself.