By Paul Hatrak, CPA, CGMA  

Successfully achieving your business goals is much like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Although there can be different strategies to complete the puzzle, the most useful tool is the picture on the box. It gives you a point of reference, or the clarity, of what is needed to finish the puzzle.

Creating a clear picture of your end goal is key to success. One of the most important steps in this process is communication. Effective communication transcends every aspect of our business and personal lives.  

The journey to effective communication progresses through the stages of clarity, confidence, and credibility. I’ve included here examples of how to incorporate these three pillars of communication.  

Clarity

Know your audience – Perspective is based on an individual, and that individual may not look at things the same way you do. Strive to understand the other person’s point of view, concerns, and goals.

Stand out in less than seven seconds – You have seven seconds to make a good impression. After that, people start to tune you out. Make yourself unique, quickly.

Tell people why you do what you do – Building on the ideas in Simon Sinek’s book (and well-known Ted Talk) Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, don’t start by telling people what you do. Start with the why, then move to the how, and end with the what. You’ll be in the company of great industry leaders. Instead of saying, “We made this spectacular product by taking new, innovative materials to achieve the best customer experience,” the message is better delivered as “To achieve the best customer experience, we used innovative materials to make this spectacular product.”

Confidence

Personalize your communication – There are many types of personalities and communication styles. DISC is an assessment tool that helps you build more effective working relationships based on an understanding of different behavioral styles. DISC stands for dominance (sees the big picture, direct); influence (enthusiastic, collaborative); steadiness (calm, supportive); conscientiousness (independent, objective).

Step outside of your comfort zone – The most successful people have repeatedly stepped outside their comfort zones. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone, so embrace the moment you start to feel uncomfortable.

Have an owner’s mentality – Whether you are a first-year staff member or a manager, act like an owner. Be invested in your organization’s success, both in the big picture and details. If you act like an owner, you are more likely to become one.  

Credibility

Be a helper – When you give your elevator speech, always use the word “help” in the first sentence. People want to know how you can help them. When you tell them this upfront, your message becomes personal. Your message will be memorable, and you’ll keep their attention.

Connect with influencers – Whether you are new in your job or have been in the same position for a long time, developing connections with influencers online or in person can enhance your credibility.  

Establish your brand as early as possible – How do you want to be branded in your profession and in your organization? Once the brand has been established, you can become the go-to person in that area of expertise.

One of the keys to attaining your end goal or purpose is to have a clear image of it (the picture on the box). Communicating with clarity, confidence, and credibility can help you feel secure in your ability to create the picture on the box, which can lead to a more successful career. 

Paul Hatrak, CPA, CGMA, is a certified business coach with Hatrak Associates LLC in Mountain Top, Pa. He can be reached at paul@hatrakassociates.com.  

If you are in the Pittston, Pa., area, come out and join Paul Hatrak on Oct. 4 at the Susquehanna Brewing Company for a session on Communicating for Success.

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