When we’re creative, we open our minds to possibilities and can view our current situations differently. Whether you’re looking to decompress, overcome a difficulty, or solve a problem, welcoming a new way of thinking allows you to explore and question.
Communication is much more than what you say and write.
Use your imagination to step outside your comfort zone and elevate your approach. As I shared in “Amp Up Your Communication,” how you express yourself and the tone and manner in which you deliver your message make a substantial impact.
Have fun and experiment to make stronger connections.
Testing what works for you and aligns with your values is key when enhancing any skill. Consider what’s most meaningful to those with whom you’re looking to foster relationships, and watch out for parts of you that may judge or overthink what you’re doing. With practice, your confidence will build over time.
Instead of doing, be.
To ensure your message is clear, concise, and without contradictory thoughts, consider these five ways to tap into your creativity and bolster your communication approach.
Be:
- Original. You don’t need to be an artist to be inventive or whimsical. Demonstrate your authentic truth by being honest about your wants and needs. Use metaphors or symbols to describe who you are and who you want to be. Knowing what type of impression you want to make can guide your direction, behavior, and actions.
- Expressive. Show your passion; don’t hide it. Motivate and inspire others to do the same by sharing what’s important to you. Leverage your right and left brain to kick start your creativity with activities such as singing, listening to music, drawing, reading, writing, gardening, exercising and the like.
- Vulnerable. Be courageous and real. Limit the need to appear as something you’re not. Even the most optimistic gurus aren’t always happy and aligned. Balance the positive and negative. When you’re vulnerable and admit that you might just need some space and time to think, you invite others to get honest. Acknowledging what’s working well and what’s not, and sharing your perspective, allows everyone involved to process how they feel about a situation and determine a way forward. Here’s a checklist for the 8Cs of Good Communication when you’re uncertain or going through change.
- Tune in to others. Sharpen your listening skills and establish a safe space for courageous communication to strengthen your relationships. Make it a point to observe and pick up on subtle cues and nuances when interacting with others. Voice cues become important when listening. State and confirm what you’re hearing and ask follow-up questions to keep the dialogue going.
- Curious. Invoke a child-like perspective and ask why until you get at the heart of the matter. Set aside time to strategize and brainstorm to welcome fresh insight from other people, industries, or brands to help you see things anew. Use all four mental functions described in Carl Jung’s typology to benefit your discovery and gain a comprehensive view.
We’re all wired differently, and that’s what makes you, you, and me, me.
Some of us prefer starting with a blank sheet of paper, and others work better by improving an existing concept. How that shows up in your communication approach is a discipline you can work to enrich. You can learn more about your creative approach by taking the Sparketype® assessment and scheduling a free consultation to apply your results to improve communication, manage your career, make better decisions, or handle stress.