So, you’ve decided to take the next phase in your development as a leader: working on your communication skills. When you start working on your verbal communication skills, it’s critical to watch a recording of yourself. For the best results, you’ll need to review the video a few times because it’s difficult to see everything all in one pass.
As you dissect the way you communicate with others, you might feel a bit self-conscious. That’s completely normal! Staying task-oriented and following a step-by-step approach to the video review may make it easier to focus.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you review your own recording:
Review #1 – Content
Make sure you actually communicated the key points you had in mind.
- What main points did you want to get across during this meeting? Did you deliver those points?
- On a scale of 1-10, how succinctly did you deliver those main points?
- How many times did you stray off topic?
Review #2 – The Way You Said It
Ensure your delivery helped, rather than hindered, your communication.
- Was the tone of your voice consistent with the situation and the words you used? What emotion should you be conveying with your voice? Is it focus, excitement, lighthearted/casual, reprimanding? Is the tone of your voice consistent with the situation and your words? (For example, were you discussing something exciting and was your tone of voice upbeat)
- To what extent did the pace of your speech match others in the room? Was it faster or slower?
- Which words or phrases you use repeatedly, like “um” or “like,” could be distracting or detract from your gravitas?
Review #3 – Non-Verbal Cues
Ensure your body gave signals that helped, rather than hindered, your communication.
- Which of your body language cues demonstrate that you are listening and engaged? To what extent did you demonstrate appropriately?
- Which facial expressions do you repeatedly make? Which of these helps support a positive meeting environment? Which of those could be distracting?
- When you use hand gestures, are they more energetic and emphatic than others in the room? Could this be distracting or energizing?
Review #4 – Reading the Room
Decode how others were reacting during the meeting.
- To what extent are others nodding their head, asking questions of you and using body language that shows they are tracking your thoughts and paying attention?
- What is the split of airtime taken by each person in the meeting? Are there people whose opinions are responded to more positively or negatively?
If you’re not sure how to interpret some of these items, get a second opinion from a trusted friend or colleague.
