How to powerfully connect with people when you communicate.

Every Monday, on the LdS side of my business, I share a business tip video on Instagram and YouTube for new Entrepreneurs.

These might be first time business owners, or people who have a day job but want to grow their 'side hustle', or existing Entrepreneurs who need a business boost.

(And for those who don't know, there are 2 sides to what I do: Trainmar helps Companies develop their Talent and LdS Consulting provides Coaching for business owners)

This week's video applies to anyone who wants to:

• Be more in the moment and present when interacting with others
• Connect and engage with any audience
• Make a positive impression
• Get over their nerves of not saying the right thing
• Make sure they get the outcome they want from every interaction
• Communicate with confidence and clarity

Most of us want these things when we communicate, but our attention is pulled in so many competing ways that we often don't hit the mark.

And I know this all too well.

Whether from Trainmar program participants or my Entrepreneur coaching clients, I often hear, "Leah I feel so frustrated! When I communicate with my customers or my team, I think I am doing an ok job but then I realize that they didn't understand me or I feel like we just don't connect."

And in business, we need to connect with our audiences; whether they be our customers, employees, vendors, collaborators, or followers.

Why do we need to connect?

If you don’t connect, you don’t engage. If you don’t engage, your audiences are not going to like or trust you. And if they don't like or trust you, they are not going to want to buy from you, they will not stay employed with you for long and they won't want to do business with you. It’s that simple.

So, how can you better connect?

A lot of people see their conversations as just more tasks on a long to-do list. They want to get over with them as quickly as possible.

Most people are ticking a box instead of clicking with the other human being.

But a conversation is an opportunity to engage with another person. It's an interaction, an exchange, a moment to enlighten and delight. 

A conversation could be a sales call, an Instagram video, an email to your project team, a weekly department huddle or a meeting with a vendor. ⁠

Each conversation may have a different goal and strategy, yet they should each be expressed with confidence, clarity and compassion.⁠

While it does take a structured plan to get this done, I'm sharing my 5 step process to get you practicing right away.

Here are the 5 steps so you can powerfully connect with any audience:

1. Before you start any conversation, ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?"

This first answer is your superficial answer, e.g. I am doing this to close a sale, move a project along, open a bank account, get someone to do something.

2. Then ask, "Why am I really doing this?"

This is your deeper purpose answer e.g. I am really doing this so I can grow my business, move ahead in my career, serve my team, be the best leader I can be, make an impact in my industry.

3. In order to achieve your deeper purpose, what behaviors should you display in this conversation?

For example, in order to be the best leader I can be my body language should match my tone and words, I should actively listen when the other person is speaking, I should ask for input and feedback, I need to use words of empathy and compassion, I need to guide this conversation to an agreed outcome.

4. Now, PAUSE!

You need a moment to reflect on what the behaviors you need to do display before you engage your audience.

5. Channel those behaviors in your words, tones, body language, speed, actions, the environment your create for the conversation and the conversation structure.

This is what it means to express yourself with compassion, clarity and confidence.

This is what it means to be in the moment and to communicate from a place of alignment with values.

You have it within you! If you try out this 5 step process, I'd be thrilled to get your feedback.

As always, your success is at the heart and mind of everything I do.

Leah de Souza, CPTD

www.leahdesouza.com / www.trainmarconsulting.com