Properly understood, this is absolutely true, not just for corporations, but for individuals as well. Communication in all its forms is the basis of all interpersonal dynamics. And yet, for all the books, seminars and courses in communication, we as a society seem to do a terrible job of communicating our true selves to others.
There are several reasons for this, not the least of which is that no two people seem to have the same definition of "communication." One thing is certain, though: In career terms, sitting across a desk from a potential employer and reciting where you worked and when you worked there is not communication, nor is allowing the employer you work for to develop a static, stereo typed image of who you are and what you can do.
The business world and personnel departments especially and understandably, have unfortunately propagated the myth that you are what you have been. In essence, they're saying, "Tell me what you've done up until now, and then I'll decide whether I want you or want to keep you." People who choose to buck the system are frequently punished by being passed over for jobs or having their resumes ignored, even though they may very well be the most qualified people. (And I still encourage people to buck the system in a professional manner)
There are three basic types of communication: First is verbal communication, or communicating through words. It means being able to formulate sentences so others can understand our ideas, and to understand others when they do the same. Some studies suggest that a small percentage of what we learn from each other actually comes from words.
Next is "empathetic" communication, in other words, using body language (posture, behavior, tone of voice, etc.), to project and receive huge paragraphs of meaning. Studies suggest that more than 50 percent, even up to 90 percent, of communication comes from this level. Lastly is self-knowledge, or self-awareness, leading to "self-communication." This is what successfully job seekers must master if they are to take charge of their careers.
Self-communication involves active listening, along with strong verbal skills and a heavy dose of self-honesty. It is the foundation of all human communication.
As with all other subjects, to successfully communicate your true self, you must:
- Understand the subject matter as thoroughly as possible.
- Focus on the audience which can benefit from the subject.
- Develop an effective method that allows the audience to perceive the benefits.
More commonly, however, people try to gauge what an employer wants to hear and then say it. Not only is this poor communication, it's usually a dead end. The best, most professional communicators are those who can allow their strengths and personality to show through without appearing boastful and who, rather than saying what someone wants to hear, devote more effort to finding people (i.e., potential employers) who will be receptive to what they have to say.
This is not to suggest that you ignore the needs of a potential employer, but rather that you find areas of agreement and focus your communication efforts on those areas. Here in a nutshell, then, is what you need to remember to be effective at communicating your true self:
- Concentrate on the three fundamentals outlined above.
- Communicate what you are rather than what you do.
- Find areas of agreement and focus on them.
- Ask questions and listen.
