The Nine C’s of Effective Communication

To be a successful leader, it is imperative to have good communication skills. After all, it is your responsibility to effectively communicate a message. It is important to remember and use the following nine C’s when communicating with your team: 

Congruency. Make sure your words, tone of voice and body language all convey the same message. If not, you will be sending a mixed message that lacks clarity.  

Concise. Remove words that do not add clarity or value to a sentence. Eliminate unnecessary modifiers.    

Clarity. Be crystal clear about what you want to achieve as a result of your communication. Know your point. There should be no ambiguity in the message. Say exactly what you mean.

Consistency. Repeatedly expose the target audience to the same messages over an extended period of time. This will help you assert your message and assist your audience in retaining it.

Consider Your Audience. Knowing your audience allows you to tailor your message, verbiage and tone to create a better experience for your target audience.

Content. Content is what creates user value. In order to engage your audience, you have to deliver relevant information, and take cues from their reactions to improve your content.  

Check for Understanding. It is not enough to just deliver the message. You have to make sure the recipient understands it.  

Choose the Right Medium for the Message. Email? Voicemail? A group meeting? One-on-one? The choices are many, and the message should determine which medium you select. Choose wisely.

Common Language. Only use slang or professional jargon if you are confident your audience can understand their meaning.

James Humes said, “The art of communication is the language of leadership.” 

Communication is never perfect at all times, but by following these nine C’s, you will have a great start to being a more effective communicator.

Chez Misko is the COO of Wisconsin Athletic Club.