When it comes to strategic communications, it’s not just about getting attention, but about getting through to your target audience. According to Stacey Hanke, a Chicago-based management consultant and author of the new book Yes You Can, being aware of what others see and hear and how they respond to you — whether it’s face-to-face, over the phone, or on a conference call — is the key to communication success. “It’s not just what you say but how you say it that matters,” Hanke advises. “If you aren’t making a conscious effort to manage your tone of voice, the way you stand, and the words you use, you risk delivering your message ineffectively and leaving your recipient with the wrong impression.  The resulting misunderstanding will not help your cause.”

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Hanke offers these tips for strategic communication management:

• Increase your awareness. If you don’t know how you and your message are perceived, you will never make improvements for greater results. Pay attention to your audience. Watch and listen for their reactions and responses. Learn how your communications affect people.

• Pause more often. A mistake most of us make is quickly saying more than our listeners want and need to hear. Slow down your speech. Deliberately introduce more pauses. That will help you think on your feet and allow your listeners to understand your message.

• Connect or contact. Who are you talking to? Look and listen for clues that they get what you are saying. You must listen more and really hear what the other person is saying. Without a meaningful connection, your recipient will lose interest and question your message.

• Gesture to create a positive visual impression. When your gestures and speech convey the same information, they’re easier to understand. Confident speakers use their gestures to add emphasis to their words. Avoid fidgeting with your rings, fingers, pen, etc.

• Speak to be heard. Your voice is your greatest asset. Do you sound like you mean what you’re saying? The sound of your voice shapes the attitude of your listeners even more than the words you speak. Don’t whisper or talk too low; adjust your volume for maximum effect.

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