Lost In Translation – How Passion & Emotion Can Derail Communication

By Brian Maynor

 

Continuing our conversation on effective communication, which of course is a crucial part of your image, we have to examine emotion and passion.

Professional women are all too often deemed ‘emotional’ when making an impassioned point, but they are not the only ones prone to this label. Young employees are also commonly marginalized because their enthusiasm is misinterpreted as overly emotional. So where is the perfect balance?

Effective communication has a lot to do with perception, but it is possible to express passion and conviction for your work without losing your audience. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1.    Set your intention. There’s no denying passion makes a point when used the right way, meaning it’s planned and not spur-of-the-moment. The best way to do this is to plan what you’re going to say. Being prepared will help you keep your words passionate and your tone calm. If you have a spontaneous emotional outburst chances are, people will only hear the tone of what you’re saying instead of the message. Also if you preplan your argument you can advise others ahead of time of your passion for the subject so they are not taken by surprise.

2.    Know your audience. This is true for every point you are trying to make, because the best way to be heard is to speak in a way that resonates with your audience. For example: analyst and accountants like facts and figures and tune out pretty much everything else, whereas sales teams may be driven more by personal experience and human interest analogies. Understanding your audience will help ensure your message comes across as persuasive and not just reactionary.

3.    Utilize multiple tools of influence. A lot of people are uncomfortable with passionate pleas alone and are very quick to dismiss them, so if you are going to employ passion you need to fold in other tools like logic, creativity, experience and specificity. This will help people focus and display that there is substance to your point of view.

4.    Check your gut. This means you don’t have to squash your passion or emotions when in meetings as long as you take the time and effort to support them with facts. An impassioned plea is more likely to be persuasive when it is clear that you also have supporting logic and reason.

Passion can be a rally tool and contagious when used the right way, i.e. supported by facts and logical reasoning, but when you rely on passion alone all too often your point is missed and your contribution is dismissed as irrational. Passion has a place in the office as long as you moderate how you use it.

 

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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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