Both verbal and nonverbal communication are critical interpersonal skills. Listening to others, observing their reactions, speaking in a way that promotes understanding and connection, using body language—these are all essential to our leadership development. Effective leaders must know that communicating is a combination of what you say, how you say it, and how you respond to what has been said back to you.

Today’s guest is Richard Newman. Richard is the Founder of Body Talk. Over the past 22 years his team have trained over 120,000 business leaders around the world, to improve their communication and impact, including one client who gained over $1 Billion in new business in just one year, using the strategies that Richard teaches.

Richard and I talk about the unspoken parts of communication, communicating effectively remotely, keeping people engaged in a meeting or presentation, and so much more. 

Members of the Modern Manager community get a free audiobook version of Richard’s book, You Were Born to Speak. This work discusses everything he has learned in his 23-year journey, filled with practical strategies that you can apply immediately to transform your success. Get it when you join the Modern Manager community.

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Read the related blog article: Revolutionize Your Team’s Communication With These Simple Skills

KEEP UP WITH RICHARD

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardnewmanspeaks/Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ukbodytalk/Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardnewmanspeaks/Business LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communicationskillstraining/

Book: You Were Born To Speak

Website: https://ukbodytalk.com/

Key Takeaways:

• Communication is how we connect and build relationships. It’s a two way street of sending messages out and responding to others. 
• Use audio/video tools for any information with an emotional or nuanced context. Too much gets lost when using text only.
• Consider the direction and intention of your message and how you want others to feel and act afterwards. 
• Set up your Zoom screen so that your hands are visible. Hands are underrated as communication tools.
• The real problem isn’t Zoom Fatigue but Death By Powerpoint. Our survival brain doesn’t think the information is relevant to our lives and turns off. To combat this, use storytelling tools. 
• Get your team involved in the drama by providing context for why you are meeting. Ask what their personal challenges are and try to resolve them through the meeting. This activates their brain to feel invested.
• The people in the meeting - not the manager- are the heroes in the story. 
• Build up your team’s confidence in their communication skills by giving them opportunities to practice and providing positive feedback.

mamie@mamieks.com

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