The Power of Reading in Becoming a Better Communicator

Anyone who's done one of my courses will know I include a lot of reading material and go easy on the video stuff. This is a purposeful tactic to help you become a better communicator, because the act of reading is proven to help develop your cognitive abilities, and the better we are at that, the better we are at expressing our thoughts and ideas.

You've probably found yourself in a position where the great idea in your head sounds like babble when you try to explain it to someone else. You know what you want to say, but the words just won't come out the way you want them to. And you've probably also noticed that moment your audience begins to turn off, the conversation changes to another topic and you're left feeling deflated.

This can leave you feeling frustrated and isolated, and worse, your great idea can be overlooked and the value you could have brought is gone!

Here are some of the key benefits reading will offer you in becoming a better communicator:

1. **Vocabulary Expansion**: Reading exposes you to a wide range of words and phrases, which can help you expand your vocabulary. This can make your speech and writing more articulate, persuasive, and engaging.

2. **Improved Understanding of Language Structure**: Reading helps you understand how sentences are structured, how ideas are organized, and how arguments are built. This can improve your ability to construct effective messages in both written and verbal communication.

3. **Enhanced Empathy**: Reading, especially fiction, allows you to see the world from different perspectives. This can enhance your empathy, which is a crucial aspect of effective communication. Understanding others' viewpoints can help you tailor your messages in a way that resonates with your audience.

4. **Better Storytelling Skills**: Reading stories can improve your storytelling skills, which are vital in effective communication. Whether you're pitching an idea, making a presentation, or just having a casual conversation, being able to tell a compelling story can make your message more engaging and memorable.

5. **Increased Cultural Awareness**: Books often explore different cultures, societies, and histories. This increased cultural awareness can help you communicate more effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.

6. **Improved Focus and Listening Skills**: Reading requires focus and attention to understand the content. These skills can translate into being a better listener when communicating with others. So, if you're looking to become a better communicator, picking up a book could be a great place to start!

In the Marine Corp, marines are expected to read on a regular basis and keep up their learning to hone their minds and make them better decision makers and communicators. One former Marine officer claims his men became better soldiers by being able to more clearly communicate developments on the battlefield to allow for faster tactical adjustments. He encouraged them to read from a chosen reading list that includes Shakespeare, the Bible, fiction and many others, saying such works triggered a response in his soldiers that made them able to clearly and concisely articulate their needs while on the ground, resulting in fewer deaths and injuries, and improved mission outcomes.

I personally read on a daily basis, and vary my collection to force myself to think outside my own preconceptions. I devour the news but also ensure I read fiction, non fiction, great works and poetry to expand my mind and my vocabulary. I'm particularly fond of Robert Frost and Dr Jordan Peterson.

Another good way of reading on the fly is to listen to audio books or podcasts. That time spent driving or on the bus can become a valuable moment of insight and learning. And at the very least you will be entertained, or even better, distracted from the day-to-day cycle of social media anarchy!

Jay