As a leader, it is imperative that you learn how to communicate effectively. One of the first things you can do toward effective communication is learn how to deliver your message effectively.
Many things contribute to effective delivery. Eye contact is one of them. Have you ever spoken with someone who cannot look you in the eyes? I just want to grab that person by the shirtfront and hold his head steady for a minute. I want to make him look at me or else know what he is hiding!
“I Ain’t No English Major”
Being articulate is also important. Many people think it is cool to use a lot of colloquialisms and slang when, in fact, that will only undermine their credibility. People respect you when you are able to say what you want to say. And being articulate is nothing more than the result of a little awareness and a little practice.
Someone said to me once, “Well, I’m not an English major.” That is not important. Focus on the importance of being articulate, being direct, using proper English, and being concise. Then you will have a lot more credibility in people’s minds than you would otherwise.
Be Clear, Repetitive, And Congruent
Make your messages clear by being specific. A lot of people simply like to hear themselves talk. They give you so much information that you don’t really know what their point is. They lose the impact of what they were saying. So be specific.
Secondly, be repetitive. Jesus was very redundant. He always got His message across at least twice. He would tell a parable and then He would explain the parable.
To send clear messages, we have to be specific and repetitive. And to keep the message from being confused, we have to be sure our verbal and our nonverbal communication is congruent. If I have a “don’t mess with me” look on my face and say, “I love you,” I have completely undermined the message I am sending.
Body language and personal hygiene can affect your communication as well. Have you ever talked to people who get right up in your face? They get into your personal space, and your walls go up—especially if they have bad breath. I can’t even listen to what they are saying.
Every now and then you run into people who are standing in faith for something, and they will say, “I love you, brother,” yet you know they hate your guts. What you do nonverbally has to be congruent with the verbal message you are sending.
Speaking The Truth In Love
One thing that must be foremost in our minds when we think of effective communication is how to speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15). This concept more than anything else defines godly communication. It is on this basis of loving truth that a right relationship is established, and God can then use you to bring ministry and blessing to the body of Christ.
Speaking the truth in love is God’s definition of effective communication.
Let’s review: to deliver your message effectively, you should:
- Maintain eye contact with your audience.
- Be articulate
- Be direct
- Use proper English
- Be concise
- Be clear (specific!)
- Be repetitive
- Make sure your verbal & nonverbal communication are congruent
- Watch your body language
- Maintain good personal hygiene
- Always speak the truth in love!
Employ these techniques into your message delivery, and watch your communication improve.
Excerpt permission granted by Mac Hammond Ministries
Mac and Lynne Hammond are senior pastors of Living Word in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, which they started in 1980. Many outreaches and ministries have launched from Living Word since that time, including Maranatha Christian Academy, a Pre-K through grade 12 school with nearly 900 in attendance, and Living Free Recovery Services, a licensed outpatient treatment program.
Most recently, Mac and Lynne have launched a vision to plant fifty churches across the globe in the next five years. As of August 2024, nine churches have been planted in the Dominican Republic, Ireland, Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, and Guatemala with construction underway for seven more churches in El Salvador, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Prior to becoming a pastor, Mac was a pilot. He served in the Air Force, served two tours of duty in Southeast Asia, and was honorably discharged in 1970 with the rank of Captain. Between 1970 and 1980, Mac was involved in varying capacities in the general aviation industry, including ownership of a successful air cargo business serving the Midwestern United States. A business acquisition brought the Hammonds to Minneapolis, where they ultimately founded Living Word. Currently, Mac is the host of The Winner’s Way and The Winner’s Minute broadcasts and the author of several internationally distributed books. Mac is broadly acclaimed for his ability to apply the principles of the Bible to practical situations and the challenges of daily living.
