This document provides tips for communicating effectively to influence and inspire an audience. It emphasizes that communication must be audience-centered with an intentional message delivered in a way that creates high emotional connection. To inspire trust, communicators should ensure consistency between their verbal, vocal, and visual delivery. The document also outlines techniques like using stories, humor, and visual aids to connect emotionally with audiences and provide memorable messages. It warns that communication often fails due to mistakes like overemphasizing content, lacking authenticity, being unprepared, and not being self-aware.

1. COMMUNICATE TO INFLUENCE
How to inspire your audience to action
BOOK EXPLORATION
by Laurie Hawkins

2. “To create an ideal communication
experience for people, we must be both
intentional about our message (it must
be audience-centered) and intentional
about the way we that
message (with high emotional
conection). This is the place from which
we motivate, shift culture, change
minds, and win supporters."
communicate
COMMUNICATE TO INFLUENCE by Ben & Kelly Decker

3. words that inspire
Ditch the script and make sure your message is about you and comes
through
Always be authentic; audiences want to see and hear the real you to
determine if they can trust you
You’re always communicating so prepare for more than just the “big
talks”
Good communication requires self-awareness, so get honest feedback
INSPIRATION LEADS TO INFLUENCE
Communication words that inform
"The need for great communication has never been more urgent."
Good Communication "Reality Checks":

4. Make the connection with eye contact
Keep them tuned in with energy via appropriate
Posture and movement
Gestures and facial expressions
Voice and vocal variety
Boost your credibility with effective pausing
INSPIRE TRUST WITH CONSISTENCY
Behaviors of trust to earn audience's trust and deepen connection:
“When people listen to you speak, they are deciding whether or not to trust you, whether or not they like
you, and whether or not they believe you. If there is congruence and agreement among the verbal, vocal,
and visual content of your communication, your listeners will be more likely to trust you, like you, and
believe what you say.”
congruence

5. 3 V's of Communication:
Verbal
Vocal
Visual
CONNECT EMOTIONALLY WITH
SHARPs is a clever acronym for:
Stories
Humor
Analogies
Pictures
visuals
SHARPs
Shortened attention
spans and distrust of
authority have put a
strain on communication
Great communicators
have an open mindset
that promotes humble
confidence
communication
confidence

6. COMMUNICATION OFTEN FAILS DUE TO FIVE COMMON MISTAKES
To place too much importance on the content and information of your
presentation.
To exhibit a lack of authenticity, which causes distrust and disconnect in the
audience.
To be unprepared.
To lack self-awareness.
Adhering to the status quo.
THE FIVE C's OF INFLUENTIAL COMMUNICATION
Be clear
Be concise
Be confident
Be credible
Be compelling