Communication Idols

Tonight another season of American Idol began. As a friend of mine on Facebook so aptly said: “Another season of family members telling family member, you’re an awesome singer, only for judges to come along and burst their bubble.”

This show reminds me every season that – like American Idol candidates – most people think they’re outstanding communicators when they aren’t. I really don’t want to sound snooty or snarky with that comment. Frankly, we all fail to communicate at some point. (In my life, it most often occurs in marriage or with my teenager.)

Great communication doesn’t just happen. Art and science and skill and experience and hours of practice are all involved. Anything done well looks easy. 

Like first round American Idol candidates, it often comes as a great shock to a CEO or key staffer or some other PowerPoint presenter that, gee, you know, I’m not so good. 

Audiences quickly become ruthless judges.

The good news is … you can be a fabulous communicator. In fact, you have a much better shot at being an amazing communicator than an amazing American Idol contestant.

But you can never be any better until you realize you have much to learn, that communication doesn’t just happen – it is an art and a science.

Great communicators have a tireless passion to study great communicators to find out what makes the message click, what makes it stick.

That’s what this blog is about. Stay tuned and spread the word.