Remember that song, “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good?”

Ever feel that way? Poor communication within a company means low morale, high turnover, diminished productivity. Without respectful and purposeful communication, collaboration collapses, teamwork deteriorates, and costs rise, yet many organizations still consider communications/interpersonal skills as "soft skill" training. The reality is that nothing impacts business success more than an ability to successfully communicate point of view. When each person within an organization maintains accountability for the impact of his/her words, and for the results those words receive, organizations flourish and so do the people working within them.

This is not about communicating more. More poor communications just means that more people will be angry, frustrated and ineffective. It's about communicating better; about establishing a common ground, sharing and listening and caring about what the other person is thinking or saying.

Whether it's email, a major presentation, a lunch sales meeting, a F2F networking event, or an informal communication in the hall, it's not just what we say, it's how we say it, how purposeful we are, and how respectful the communication message is, that will determine whether we get results, get great results or get sabotaged.

If you're a soul whose intentions are good, here are a few things to consider:

Say what you mean. If you intend to make a statement, don't make it sound like a question. If you need something by a certain deadline, provide the deadline and the reason why you need it when you need it. When you know your idea has merit, or at least think that it does, don't begin with a disclaimer: This may not really seem that important but.... To paraphrase Nelson Mandela, diminishing your light does not make another person's light grow stronger. "Your playing small does not serve the world."

Mean what you say. Be purposeful. What is your communication goal? And, if you really want what you say you do, what would you say, and how would you act? Ask yourself that at your next staff meeting, and at your next family dinner.

Don't be mean when you say it. It turns out that our mothers were right; it is how you say what you say that can make all the difference. Can you frame your message so that it will be more appealing to your listener or reader to do what you want? It just makes good sense to invite them to participate, rather than mandate that they do. Help them to buy in to your point of view by showing them how they benefit. Lead them by presenting your perspective in a way that they can embrace. Being respectful and positive leads to more respectful and positive relationships. And, if you're trying to lead a team, it's good to remember what our mamas told us too, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." An effective influencer doesn't try to make anyone do anything; instead, they motivate, encourage and invite success.

Enhance your group's productivity and profits through improved communication skills. Schedule Sue to speak at your next meeting.