The Prince Charming School Of Communication

This article was originally published on Learning to Leap and has been reproduced with the permission of the author David Schindler.

We all love a charmer, whether they are a prince or a princess. There is something about the way they pull you towards them when your initial inclination may be wariness or suspicion. Good communication skills are often listed on person specifications and for good reason. So it pays to pay attention to how these silky sultans show their skills.

6 WAYS TO DEVELOP YOUR CHARM OFFENSIVE

1. Skilled communicators work well with colleagues, listen and understand instructions, and can express their opinions with confidence without being aggressive.
2. The best communicators are also able to change their style of communication to suit their audience or task at hand – a particularly valuable skill when leading a team, dealing with conflict or persuading others to your way of thinking.
3. If you want to improve your communication skills, seek out feedback on what you do well and be willing to learn from constructive criticism.
4. You might think that some people are naturally charming, but you can learn to  build rapportwith others, which is valuable in a variety of situations, from interviews to client meetings. The key is to avoid self-referencing and to shift your mindset from you to the other person.
5. We know when we meet someone charming – it’s the quality of the attention they give to you. They remember and use your name. They show interest in your world and you as a person, without being creepy, slick or gushing. Their tone is sincere.
6. They use humour appropriately. They empathise and show you positive regard. They convey credibility, care and warmth. The result is they engender trust.

If that sounds like a lot to take on, observe how the charming people you admire interact with others and practise in non-work situations to begin with. You’ll soon be teaching snakes to dance.