IE focuses on four skill sets crucial to successful business communications.
Cultivate a natural style that projects credibility, confidence, and professionalism. Eliminate distracting idiosyncrasies. Manage energy and attention through skillful communication behaviors such as effective eye contact, vocal intonation, gestures, etc.
Be clear, succinct, and persuasive. Implement a listener-focused strategy for key messages, detail level, visual support, notes, and leave-behind documentation.
Maintain listener engagement. Facilitate stakeholder alignment and buy-in. Handle difficult questions and resistance. Keep conversations positive and forward moving.
Adjust content and approach to meet diverse listeners and levels of technical expertise. Apply appropriate skills to the various communication vehicles -- technical training, sales calls, interviews, email, web and live meetings, video and teleconferences, formal and informal presentations.
Software engineer, Esalen Institute