Nine Characteristics of Exceptional Communicators

I’ve observed hundreds of communicators throughout my life. And while many are good at what they do – and most have valuable insights to share – there are some who can only be described as ‘exceptional communicators.’ I love to observe and analyze such people. What I’ve found is that they all share similarities. 

1 – Exceptional communicators use clear, simple language. Not always – they are not afraid to use big words or even foreign phrases. But this is not their standby. Their primary communication is always easily understood – especially when they discuss big topics. Exceptional communicators are especially notable for how simply and easily they can communicate complex concepts. They have attained the ‘simplicity on the far side of complexity.’

2 – Exceptional communicators do not rush their communication. Often, they will communicate less knowledge than average communicators. Yet somehow, this knowledge ‘sticks’ with us because what they say is more memorable and meaningful. They take their time to flesh out their content and illustrate it well.

3 – Exceptional communicators particularize the universals. Or, to say it another way, they solidify into concrete what is otherwise a vague mass of thick ooze. When an exceptional communicator gives a grand principle or concept, he words it well and memorably, and he spells out what it looks like in concrete terms. Exceptional communicators love to use examples and illustrations rather than definitions – and all the more so when the subject is metaphysical or theoretical.

4 – Exceptional communicators use the proper blend of grammatical moods. There are four moods which must be used – the indicative, the interrogative, the imperative, and the vocative/exclamatory. Each mood speaks to a different part of the person. The indicative speaks to the mind; the interrogative, to the conscience; the imperative, to the will; and the vocative, to the heart. While average communicators stay in the indicative, exceptional communicators will venture into all four.

5 – Exceptional communicators show rather than tell. Through the use of colorful language (nouns rather than adjectives), concrete examples, and story-telling, these communicators let the audience experience. They present their material as a journey of discovery that the audience is involved it. They love to use sensory words, and they introduce ideas with words like, “watch this,” “guess what,” and “see what happens when…”

6 – Exceptional communicators use humor well. Humor is not primary, but it is certainly not absent. It is used as the handmaiden of truth, to illustrate the material or to hold the attention of the audience. Exceptional communicators are well-informed individuals, so much of their humor draws from current events and popular culture.

7 – Exceptional communicators are trained speakers. This training may come from tutors, classes, or self-study, but it always occurs. These individuals have more than good content – they have good delivery. Even though rate, tone, enunciation, pauses, and eye contact are not enough to make for exceptional communication, it never happens in their absence.

8 – Exceptional communicators are definitive. They state their views without question or doubt. Why? Because they are true believers in what they are saying. Nowhere is this more evident than in controversial matters. They do not beat around the bush, or apologize, or take time to build up to the controversy. They simply state their conviction and why they believe as they do. In a world of uncertainty, this makes exceptional communicators appear stable. The audience sees an idea that is worth stating, and one that has been thought through.

9 – Exceptional communicators are easy to follow. They do not have many subpoints or an extended outline. There is a simple flow and order to their communication. Even when the listener loses this flow, exceptional communicators refer back to it so often that the listener can pick it up again. Often, an exceptional communicator will actually ask whether the audience can follow. He does this by saying, ‘do you follow?’ ‘is this clear?’ ‘am I making sense?’ This is not filler language – it is a genuine effort to determine whether the audience understands, and it causes listeners to refocus on what is said.