The key to genuine contact

4 C's:

We start by developing four aspects:

• Confidence: Authentic communication starts with confidence. This means believing in yourself and your message. Confidence is contagious and builds trust with others.
• Congruence: What you say must match what you do. Congruence creates credibility and trust, which are essential for authentic communication.
• Consistency: Be consistent in your communication. This means that your message, attitude and actions remain the same over time, which contributes to a strong and reliable image.
• Connection: A genuine connection with others is crucial. This means showing empathy, listening actively and opening yourself up to the thoughts and feelings of others.

These four C's are at the identity level; "I am confident, I am congruent, I am consistent, ..." We supplement these with another four points of attention, this time at the behavioural level.

PACE:

Alongside the aforementioned four C's, we also use 4 principles that we translate into concrete attitudes and actions:

• Presence: Be fully present in every interaction. This means full focus and attention on the moment and the person you are communicating with.
• Association: Ensure that your message is clear and personal. Speak from your own experiences and beliefs.
• Clarity: Your message must be clear and understandable. Avoid jargon and complex language that can cloud your message.
• Empathy: Show empathy and understanding for the feelings and viewpoints of others. This helps in building deeper and more meaningful relationships.

To put the principles of authentic communication into practice effectively, here are some concrete tips.

Get started with these 4 tips:

1. Be Present and Connect: Ensure you are fully present in the conversation. This means being present not only physically, but also mentally. Make sure your thoughts do not wander and that you are fully focused on the here and now. Connect your thoughts and feelings well with what you are communicating, and be clear and thoughtful in your communication.
2. Use body language: Body language, especially hand gestures, is a powerful part of communication. Be aware of what you do with your hands while speaking. Use symmetrical gestures and show your palms to reinforce your message and to be more expressive.
3. Communicate in the present: Bring your communication into the present. This makes your message more direct, clear and concrete. By speaking in the present, you move the conversation more easily and create connections with others more easily. Use 'I' messages to make it clear what you think and feel.
4. Move: Your physical posture and energy level have a major impact on how you come across in a conversation. For example, if you make a phone call while lying down or sitting relaxed, you can come across as uninterested or tired. Stand up and walk around a bit during the conversation; this helps to bring more energy and dynamics into your voice and to organise your thoughts.

Authenticity in communication is a balance between honesty and sensitivity, between expression and empathy. It is the art of genuinely sharing yourself, while also offering the space and respect to others to be themselves. By finding and maintaining this balance, we create interactions that are not only valuable to ourselves, but also enriching and meaningful to the people we communicate with. Being authentic is therefore a continuous attention to both the content and the impact of our communication, where we strive for a deeper connection and a greater understanding.

By training yourself in these essential skills, you can take both your personal and professional relationships to a higher level.

So register for our 'Skill Sprints'. Check the calendar on our website for more information and take your first step towards authentic and dynamic leadership.

By Steff Vanhaverbeke