3 Things to Know to Get Them to Listen

I wish there was a Communication 101 course in every college program to teach the basics of workplace communication. I strongly believe if you know how to communicate, you can get anything you want in life, and yes, that includes at work. 

So how do you communicate what you want? Let's start by setting a foundation on which you can build your powerful communication techniques. Here are three things you must know before you speak:

Act as a leader. Whatever your role may be, if you see yourself as a leader, you can easily change the way you think and approach communication. Ask yourself: If I were a leader at my company, would I ask for what I want? For example, a raise? If the answer is yes, then consider how you would phrase it. How can you help your company achieve its goals, so they reward you? This shift in perspective is the first step to setting the right foundation.

Deliver results. We get so busy doing small tasks that may or may not have an impact, but take up too much time and energy. This is sometimes necessary, but often can be avoided in exchange for more impactful work. Scan your workday and identify activities that generate the highest impact and biggest results. This requires that you understand what "impact" means at your company and then always speak about your results. Never mention what you "do," but rather what you deliver.

Become a key player. Now that you are seeing yourself as a leader in your company and focusing on your impact, the next step is making your company's goals your goals. Quickly learn what matters to your manager and become a key instrument in delivering it. This will make you indispensable in the eyes of your company, and you will be seen as a true professional and leader. 

If you can build these three foundations and exercise them consistently, you will see a positive shift. You will get noticed, recognized, and you will get what you want by helping your company get what it wants.

-Farnoosh Brock, Business and Career Coach, Prolific Living Inc.