Today is my birthday. It’s early in the morning and I will be catching a plane back to Perth from Brisbane in a few hours. While I’m waiting to go to the airport, I’d like to share a topic that is close to my heart: Success Communication.
When someone asks me what I do for a living, I say: I’m a Success Communicator. It leaves a look of bewilderment in their eyes and begs for a more elaborate explanation. Normally, the title of Internet Marketer replaces it to make it more mainstream but even that isn’t taken all that seriously. I suppose internet marketing is more of a dream job than a well respected one. The time has come to explain this term as it has been in use since 2005 and I have never really elaborated on why I use it in the title of this blog.
I sign off as Success Communicator and even print it on my business cards, although I rarely carry cards as an internet marketer. The point is that I don’t need much offline exposure. How silly does it look if I cannot market myself online as an internet marketer? Online is affordable and efficient. Actually, mostly it’s free and that works well for me.
What Is Success Communication?
Success Communication is the art of communicating with other people and making yourself understood – and to do so successfully. I do not claim to be the best in the world at communicating but I am constantly improving through awareness of this topic. I constantly stay aware of the obstacles that we set ourselves and the “lack of” effort there is when some people transfer their opinions or teachings to others. The lack of tolerance – or ignorance – that is displayed around the world in communicating between cultures is the number one reason for conflict. I think it is fair to say that we could easily improve our communication skills and decrease conflicts all over our globe.
Needless to say, the effort required to enhance our skills in this area is minimal. All it takes is a little care about other people and respect for their opinions. Bluntly put, it means being more selfless and less selfish. Accepting that others will think differently and that it does not harm you, will leave you much more at ease with any issue that normally burdens many people’s life’s.
How To Communicate Successfully
As a Success Communicator, my aim is to understand what the other persons values are. When I understand their values, I understand their motivation and what guides their opinions. Dr John Demartini talks about a persons Hierarchy Of Values. It establishes what is most important to them and the hierarchy their values follow from there on. If someone is interested in Formula One Cars, and I’m talking about internet marketing, they are unlikely to pay a lot of attention to my topic. It is not a matter of respect. It is more a case of getting their attention. So if I talk about how internet marketing can improve their lifestyle and get them to next years Formula One Race in Monte Carlo, I have their attention! I am simply communicating my story to them successfully and in line with their values.
I got myself in a spot of trouble a few years ago, when I was seriously starting to take interest in the art of Success Communication. I was a Switching Officer in a High Voltage power station. My job was to isolate the high voltage supply and ensure people were safe before they started work on any equipment. The difference between me doing my job properly – or disrespecting it – could be life or death for someone else. My supervisor’s Hierarchy Of Values seemed heavily career based, with safety second on his list. My values were safety first and, if needed, I would go against his directives happily knowing that my safe outlook would result in some worker going home that night to his family rather than being fried to a crisp by 33,000 volts.
One day when my supervisor argued (quite loudly) with me about slowing down an important job, because of the poor way he had communicated it to me and my co-workers, I simply responded:
“The difference between humans and animals is the ability to communicate in an intelligent way. You have failed at this! I suppose this put you in the second category”
Maybe I was a bit harsh at the time and he did take offense to this statement. The point I’m making is this:
Communication Is A Gift
We have been given a gift. It is the gift of speech and the ability to communicate with others. We are given words, tone of voice & body language to give a 100% account of our communication to another human. Why not use it and master it to the level we were meant to? There is far too much assumption and expectation going on – that the other person has all the information and knowledge that we have accumulated during our life. Meanwhile, they are never going to get the message simply based on words coming out of another persons mouth. There is more to it than that!
Use these 3 tools to master the art of being a Success Communicator:
- The written word – 17% of communication
- Tone of voice – 34% of communication
- Body language – 49% of communication
Looking at the above percentages, we can see that simply writing a letter wont be very successful in getting your message across. People will only understand 17% of what you intended in your message.
If you however spoke to someone on the phone, they will get your Word (17%) as well as your Tone Of Voice (34%) and that will communicate 51% of your message to them. This is why a phonecall is far more effective than a letter.
However, if you were to speak to a person face to face, you are able to look them in the eyes, use your hands and body to display your truthfulness, mood and ethics to the other person along with the Word and your Tone Of Voice. You are now using 100% of the tools you are equipped with to communicate.
Your Hierarchy Of Values
Now the question has to be asked: You are using 100% of your communication tools, but are you communicating successfully? This is the time to start thinking about what the other persons values are – and more importantly – what are their Hierarchy Of Values?
As a Success Communicator, I understand that most relationships, be it business, marriage or friendship, break down due to a lack of communication. Learn this skill and prosper in life. Yes, it takes Two To Tango and you may as well be the one that leads. Harness the skill of a Success Communicator and the world will be a much better place with more of us sharing this skill.
I’ll leave you with a comment a dear friend of mine stated to the Woodside Petroleum Hierarchy after he had accidently shut down production and cost them over $1M of lost production:
“If you think you can laugh at this 12 months from now, you might as well laugh now”
They didn’t see the funny side. I suppose their Hierarchy Of Vales were different to his. But his fresh outlook saved him his job and we all got a good laugh out of it.
Until next time, have a most outstanding day.
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
Aussie Internet Marketer © 2004 – 2009
{ 53 comments… read them below or add one }
I love that quote. I think I’ve seen you use it before, but I still love it. That and the one about life being the longest thing you ever do. Puts things in perspective….
Have a Happy Birthday! Maybe Cherie will get you a new puppy
lol
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Great communication Sean!
Something to share and elaborate on there are also two types of communication verbal and non-verbal and around 70% of all communication is estimated to be non-verbal, while 30% verbal. When using non-verbal communication on a face to face level its important to remember the SOLVER –
Square – face the person
Open – posture
Lean – forward slightly
Verbal – communication must be relevant
Eye – contact should be maintained
Relax – be comfortable and show it
I teach communication as a subject and agree it certainly is lacking as a tool of reference for our society.
Hope you have a magical birthday!
Cheers, Pam
Hi Sean,
Thank you for your message today. Communication is such a vital dimension of our existence. Because we all communicate so regularly, its easy to forget that it is such a powerful tool. Essentially communication is everything which connects us to others. Ultimately, it isn’t just about us getting our point across, its about the rapport, relationship and outcome that results from the interaction. Your blog was a great reminder of this – here’s to remaining focused on our communication and building mastery!
Have a truly wonderful Birthday!
Romany
that can be applied with mastery. It isn’t just about getting our point across, its about rapport, trust and ultimately outcome.
Have a great day Happy Birthday
Rita
“ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE”
Great post Sean, and Happy Birthday!
Communication is such a powerful tool, and taken way too lightly by most.
Our words are the most powerful thing we have in this universe.
The world was created by words and our words are no different, they have the ability and the power to create our environment. We must chose which words we use very carefully as we can bless or curse ourselves and those around us with the words we speak.
And for you, to be a success communicator is awesome, to know that you have chosen, and made a decision that your words will create success, for yourself and for others!
Love it! I’m a student of words, and communication, I love to find the meaning of words, I speak words of life over my future every morning and I dont think that enough people understand that the words they choose to use will create their future.
Anyway, i could talk all day about words…
Look forward to catching up in melbourne at the http://www.geekversity.com.au event this week.
Happy Birthday and create success with your communication!
Nathan Hulls
love your blog about communication. With five boys and one husband in our house Communication plays a huge part of our day. Its really funny to see what one person says, and then to watch how the other person takes the words into a different content. Many time fights have started or gotten out of our house because of the lack of communication, and the only way (sometimes) to diffuse the tension is to laugh. Then more laughter while we try to work out what each person was actually saying.
Funny how one simple word can either start war or keep peace:)
Thanks Sean
And a Big Happy Birthday Sent your way.
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This is a powerful post indeed. Everything in life requires the proper communication. If you can’t get that across, your never going to make it through being a great Internet Marketer. The first impression is what counts the most.
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Happy Birthday Sean!
It is always great to read your posts and most of them seem to come at just the right time.
Enjoy your day.
Matt
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Sean !
Thanks for keeping us posted of interesting events, including this birthday of yours. It is always such a pleasure reading those motivating articles & books of yours and I am sure many of your readers must have changed their outlook in life and follow your footpath to success.
All the best,
sk chong
Dear Sean,
Happy birthday and wish you a healthy and long life so you can keep up your great work! Enjoyed the article very much and agree with all you had to say!
I’ve been married 31 years this month and have nearly been divorced as many. Pity You were not around in 1978 when I was married; I would have saved myself a lot of heart ache!
I’m 57 and two year ago joined a club to learn the art of public speaking and to be more proficent at communicating.
Effective communicating should also be a compulsory subject a our schools for the reasons you outlined!
Kind regards and happy birthday, Victor Grech
Happy Birthday Sean.
Great post. Like usual, straight from the heart. Interesting to read about Dr John Demartini’s Heirarchy of Values, have you seen Abraham Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs
The below quote is a true and correct record as my Brother Pedro was on the same Job with Sean in the Northwest of Western Australia.
“If you think you can laugh at this 12 months from now, you might as well laugh now”
Great read Sean have an outstanding day.
Great Post Sean & Happy Birthday!
Understanding your customers needs & been able to communicate to them successfully is the key to good customer relations online & offline. Good customer relations start a whirl wind of success through recommendations from word of mouth so learning to communicate successfully is worth the weight of gold
Enjoy Your Birthday!
Anne
Annes last blog post..A Guide To Writing Articles Quickly And Easily.
Very nice and thoughtful post, Sean. I guess it is very challenging for you to communicate successfully with people mostly online, but you already figure out the best way. One thing that I would like to add is that “communication is a gift” and you can learn to become a success communicator. I teach intercultural communication courses in Vietnam and the most difficult thing for me is making my students aware of the cultural differences and respect as well as take into consideration these differences when communicating with people from another culture, not to mention the language barrier they have to overcome.
I really love all of your ideas so far (since the day I know you in the Brisbane workshop early this year!). I once commented that you get the great combination between Western and Eastern ideologies and lifestyles.
Have a happy birthday! May those you love bring love back to you and may all your wishes come true!
Thuy
If there is income in communication i truly wonder why i remain with no one cent in my pocket!
Anyhow, happy birthday, birthdays are always to be happy…..is life what makes birthdays an unwelcome task…. I say, good luck to me too, this is Maria, a wasted talent, living in Perth, WA. Well any philanthropy’s SENT IT TO MY SIDE……….*SMILE* GOD BLESS YOU.
Hope you have had a great birthday Sean. Your blog communicated your message very well. It was very easy to absorb. Thank you!
Cheers
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wish you a very happy birthday with full of energy and enthusiasm to meet your all relations in high esteem—————————————lvsharmaj@gmail.com
Happy Birthday Sean and many more happy returns!
Looking Forward to meeting you at the Perth Event.
Have a great day.
Happy Birthday Sean.
Great post! Learning to communicate is absolutely essential and is such a powerful tool.
Happy Birthday Sean. Hope you have a great day!
Happy birthday Sean, God Bless!,
Ilkka
Hi Sean. Though it’s a day late. im wishing you a Happy Birthday and thanks for this great post.
Don’t stop doing this great work and being a Success Communicator.
Have a remarkable day.
Happy Birthday Sean. Having spent a weekend in Sydney with you communicating success, I can say, you know what your talking about and you know how to communicate it successfully. I have since made so many excellent improvements in my internet marketing based upon your teachings. Thank you so much.
Ian Parkins last blog post..The Success Communicator
Happy Birthday Sean,
All you say is a true and great inspiring lift to the day, with thoughts to dwell on and directions in life to think about.
Thank You,
Regards,
Glenn.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN,
Thanks for your wonderful blogs which I read without fail. Most Inspiring. Good to meet you at the SOPS seminar last Sunday, which has given me the biggest boost imaginable – you and Shaun have helped me see a financially secure future which is not common for most jazz musicians.
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE
Cheers
Harry
Happy Birthday Sean
Great article. You certainly have “the gift”.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Helen & Paul
Great post! You are most definitely growing as a Communicator!!
Always a great read and you always get your message across.
I hope you had an outstanding Birthday!
Cheers,
Bevan Hill
Hi Sean, if your percentages are based upon Mehrabian’s study (UCLA Professor Human Behaviour), you misquote him and his work and your figures are wrong. Perhaps it’s “chinese whispers” at work?
Cheers Vac.
Happy Birthday Sean,
Thank you for showing us a side of you which is very important.
Cheers,
Bruno
Happy Birthday Sean,all the best in the future!VERY POSITIVE THINKING!CHEERS!Predrag
It’s ironic Sean but I am writing a series of articles on the same topic for my blog http://www.mimenta.com/mimentum about the problem of communication in education as well.
Unfortunately we live in an age where our educators are regarded more for their ability to absorb knowledge than to communicate it. As a result I see many revered highly qualified senior teachers who cannot communicate with their students.
Perhaps we need a few good communicators – people with the gift of communication – to set up a degree course in communication that is relevant to the real world and send some of our educators back to school. If our teachers set such a poor example to those who will lead our nation in the future, what hope do we have for the future?
Sean
You are a real treat. It is great that you have managed another birthday. I just wish I could have celebrated it with you. But, with your inspiration and push we will celebrate one of your next birthdays with a trip into space. Keep up the great blogs and whatever you attempt, overdo.
Dobbs
Thank you everyone. It is nice to have so many friends
Thanks for a most outstanding post today Sean. John De Martini’s hierarchy of values becomes clear when you look at where you are in your life. Sometimes, it’s not what you say but what the other person wants to hear that communication breaks down and the message is mistaken. I love that quote from your friend. I’m laughing as I type this comment. Cheers!
Happy Birthday! Many blessings =)
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Happy Birthday Sean! Hope you had a fantastic day today with your family and friends.
I enjoy reading your blogs and todays was outstanding! Exellent reading while I was having breakfast.
Nice post Sean, everything lives in language and good communication is key. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for your post Sean! Effective communication demands that people develop the ability to listen, view and respond to communication forms with respect to content and context.
I hope your whole day’s filled with sunshine and laughter. When you wish, I hope you wish big. Happy birthday!
Oups, just in time to wish you blessings and joy for the last two hours of your birthday over WA…
Thanks so much for your charismatic teaching this weekend on what is important, and what is not… Your blog today is brilliant!
Happy Birthday Sean,
Great post.
Hey Sean,
Hope you had a great day. Perfect timing with the blog..am about to forward it to the egocentric 20 yo I’m sharing an apartment with in Dubai at the moment!
Cheers,
Craig Eckert
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN< Sorry I’m abit later with the birthday cheers, love your communication, you are so right about the communication between people, most peole do want to communicate with other people whether its friends, family, work mates,bosses and people who we come into contact, we love to get on and understand other people and enjoy, Hope you had a magic Birthday
Happy Birthday Sean.
Happy Birth day and many happy returns
sean! i really loved it. i hope there’s a book like that.
your free download is great since it requires less– the least effort!
happy birthday i wish you all success.
more and more like a magnet
i’m just 14 years old, from the Philippines. ^^
but it doesn’t matter
lavyah sean. take care!
Hi Sean,Hope you had a terrific day.Belated birthday wishes to you.Hope to see s1 s2 soon ….again.Ray W
many many happy returns of this days. i wish the god give u longer life.
sirish bartaulas last blog post..The Success Communicator
“Learn this skill and prosper in life.” : I think that says it all !.
Happy Birthday for the 5th mate.
Cheers,
Roger
Hi Sean,
Happy Birthday to you!
You’ve done a great job for all of us
Have a great day!
Yanyong
More thank you’s to all of my friends. Once again, Thank You!