Craft of Communication: Key Ideas

55% of Communication is our Body Language
38% of Communication is our Tone of Voice
7% of Communication is the words we speak.

Therefore 93% of Communication is NOT the words we use.

Source: M Argyle: The Psychology of Interpersonal Behaviour.

This doesn’t mean words are unimportant.
It means that the words used to convey a message are vulnerable.

A Case Study.

Following a year in which his company traded at a loss, Mike had to deliver a morale-raising conference speech. His text had the message “We have confidence in the future.” However, Mike delivered that text shifting from one foot to the other, raced through the speech and avoided eye contact with his audience. Result: very few at the conference believed his confidence was well founded.

• Mike’s words spoke of confidence, but his Body and Voice communicated unease. As -
• Body Language communicates at a subliminal level, so its effect is instantaneous. Thus -
• Mike’s audience read his Body Language before they heard his words.So–
• The 93% compromised no, negated the 7%.

The Craft of Communication can prevent this. Indeed, it can do much more. The training, based on tried and tested theatre skills, equips you with a range of techniques to ensure that vulnerable 7% of words is supported, enhanced even transformed by the 93% of Body Language and Voice.

These courses help clients to develop their own personal style, building on their strengths, simultaneously developing a new range communication skills. The starting point is the key Communication skill of Status.

Status: The Key Communication Skill.

Within the first 20 minutes of any session you learn the classic theatre skill of Status.

Having High Status helps you to get the attention of an audience before you even start a presentation. People are more likely they will listen more closely to High Status speakers because High Status gives you Gravitas. This is how you learn to Raise your Status:

• Increase the amount of Space you take up by standing to your full height with head, neck and back in relaxed but straight alignment and your feet under your shoulders.
• Increase the Time you take up by slowing your breathing, speaking at a moderate pace, moving in your own time.
• Consider the Space belongs to you, and only you, for the time it takes to deliver your message

…and your Status will start to Rise.

The Case Study revisited.
The importance of Mike’s message required High Status to convey his self-belief. But his use of Space and Time had too many Low Status characteristics. If he had delivered the same text using the above, he would have been more likely to convince his audience.

Status is the start point of all Craft of Communication Courses.
Once you have mastered this simple, but vital skill you are ready to learn how to use Body Language and Voice to communicate effectively in the situations you meet every day. Each Craft of Communication course develops this core of ideas and skills to suit your individual needs.

Understanding Body Language   Understanding Voice

CLIENT FEEDBACK
John is an outstanding person who displays enormous sensitivity, honesty & integrity to colleagues and clients at all times – even under difficult circumstances. He has the capacity to bring his wealth of skills to bear on any project in such a way as to provide seamless contribution alongside other consultants, even when his element of the project is limited.

His manner wins the support and confidence of both colleagues and clients and helps them to deliver results well beyond their personal expectations. His “plain English” vocabulary and coaching style of working makes complete sense to people of all disciplines and he builds relevance to client’s particular working circumstances with confidence and ease. I would recommend him without hesitation.
MARIANNE HILEY: Director, Whitmuir Consulting

Craft of Communication: courses & services:

Key Skills
Training in Presentation Skills & Public Speaking
Executive Coaching
Leader Training and Team Development
Coaching for One to One Face to Face Meetings
Networking & Bid Coaching
Event Management

Courses can be taken singly or in a combination to suit your specific training needs.

Back to top of the page