You know, I am fascinated by the sharing of meaning. It has been a passion in my life ever since I first started out in public speaking at age 11 and it has been reignited repeatedly in my life by hero figures, studies, philosophy & theory, events, and experience. Since we cannot not communicate, communication is a constant presence in our lives. It brings joy, heartache, success, disappointment, reflection – all the things that make us who we are. It is fascinating to see how our words and interactions drive our daily existence.
Yet we struggle with this, don’t we? We constantly strive towards trying to bring alignment, correlation, and sense between what we say (contemplate, formulate, express) and what we do (plan, construct, implement). To live our lives according to what we believe is right, and to lead like we know we want to lead, are challenging. Here are three insights that might help you to walk the talk:
- Sort out identity
Once you know who you are, it is much easier to be. Although identity is dynamic and never static, jumping into the business end of walking the talk without having your identity sorted just makes things difficult. In business this leads to wasteful expenditure on communication events and campaigns that seem nice but have no clear link to your identity and your core values. Reflect on who you are and why you are you. This is the starting point of message coherence and consistency.
- Make sure of your strategic drivers
It is dangerous to launch into a campaign or theme in your life or business if you are not sure of how it fits into your identity. A strategic driver is that concept that serves as a fitness-for-purpose quality test for identity and what you say and do. It further outlines the identity and highlights seminal forces that assist in forward momentum. These strategic drivers form the backbone of your business; it is the lens through which you can see the embodiment of your dream and vision.
- Communication is a multiplier
If you and your team are unclear as to who you are and how you want to be you, communication and marketing will multiply that uncertainty for all to see. Fortunately, if you put in the effort to sort out what you are all about, you make strategic communication and marketing that delivers return on investment so much easier. The cautionary note here is clear: all the speeches, meetings, online sites, campaigns, and ad spend can be of far greater worth if it is well rooted. You must learn to walk before you talk. Do not start walking the talk with communication and marketing planning; that comes later.
Walking the talk is possible. It is possible for you and your team to bridge that gap between empty words and illogical action. Walking the talk brings surefootedness, a clear road map of where you are headed, and a team that is inspired to walk together. The rewards are sweet. Let me know when I can help to bring that positive energy to your life.
