Image Credit: Depositphotos

Professor A

A certain professor was from a prestigious educational institution with world-wide acclaim. He graduated at the head of his class, with the highest honors. Known and respected for his mathematical genius, he easily found his way into the college classroom and into the ranks of academic leadership.

His classes were not easy, and his expectations were high. Students had to work hard to succeed. For those who had high aspirations for math and science, his teaching style presented a welcome challenge, and they respected his analytical abilities.

If you walked by his classroom on any given day, you would sense the quiet and deep concentration that was taking place inside.

Professor B

Just down the hall was another professor, who also taught math and science. He, too, was well credentialed in his own right, but his teaching style was quite different.

Bouts of laughter from inside his classroom would often echo out into the hallway. He was very creative in his lessons and would use stories and object lessons to make a point. He infused humor into math. (Yes, it is possible!) The students drawn to his classroom enjoyed the camaraderie.

Impact

Here’s the thing: Both professors were highly credentialed. One was greatly respected, and one was deeply loved. And both had great impact, but in very different ways.

This is because they used their unique gifts to communicate with their students. The highly analytical, quiet students were drawn to the one; while the creative, fun-seeking students were drawn to the other.

And, in these opposite environments, the students learned, each in their own way.

Communication

These professors both knew that communication is a two-way street, and that speaking would only have impact if there was also listening.

They knew their unique strengths and they knew their audience.

Two Questions for You

Do you know your strengths?

It is important to bring yourself to the stage where you serve and not try to be someone else.

Yes, adjust your communication style somewhat to suit your audience; but do not do so at the expense of being yourself. Trying to be someone you are not and to speak like someone you are not will only confuse your audience.

As they say, “You be you.”

Do you know your audience?

While it is important to know your strengths and to be genuine to them; it is also important to understand your audience.

If you are speaking to a more serious, analytical audience and you are normally a fun-loving, vivacious person, you can still be fun; but also bring substance. Show charts, bring evidence, use bullet points, and explain how you came to a certain conclusion.

If you are a more serious, analytical person speaking to a lively audience, you will want to amp up your natural wit and humor. You have the ability. You just need to amp it up to a level that will seem high to you. Yes, bring substance because you must, but seek creative ways to convey a point. Tell stories. Use illustrations.

Be you but also consider your audience. Your goal is not just to speak, but to be heard and to influence. And to do this, you must also listen to your audience.

For valuable resources on Leadership Strengths and Tools, click here.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!