People Place Story - How to Communicate with Impact

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Welcome to another episode of People Play Story, where we delve into the art of storytelling and impactful communication. I'm your host, Martin Kloss, a professional story coach and speaker trainer. Today, we explore the fascinating world of communication styles, drawing insights from my book, People Play Story, which is currently available in German. This episode is generated with the help of AI, based on a chapter from my book.

We begin by examining how communication styles are as unique as fingerprints, shaped by our upbringing and experiences. The discussion highlights the influence of family dynamics on how we communicate, comparing the communication styles of individuals from large, boisterous families to those from quieter households. These early experiences equip us with specific tools that influence how we assert ourselves, listen, and express emotions.

We then explore four distinct communication styles: informative, directive, entertaining, and inspiring. While these styles provide a useful framework, real-life communication often involves a blend of these styles. The key to effective communication is adaptability—knowing when to employ each style based on the context and the audience.

The episode also delves into the power of nonverbal communication and the role of mirror neurons in creating empathy and connection. We discuss how effective communicators captivate their audience not just with words, but with their presence and energy.

Finally, we address the consequences of miscommunication in both professional and personal settings, emphasizing that communication is a skill that can be learned and improved. The episode concludes with a powerful reminder that authenticity is the foundation of effective communication, encouraging listeners to be genuine and present in their interactions.

We hope this episode provides you with fresh perspectives and insights into the art of communication. Until next time, keep exploring and learning, and maintain open communication channels.

[00:00:08] Martin Kloss:

Hi, and welcome to People Play Story, a podcast about storytelling   and how to communicate with impact.   My name is Martin Kloss, and I'm a professional story coach and speaker trainer.   I recently wrote a book. It's called People Play Story,   but it's only available in German for now. So to help me reach a wider audience and spread the word about the power of stories,   I created this podcast.   Full disclosure, what you're about to hear is generated by an AI,   courtesy of Google's notebook LM. And each episode is based on a different chapter of my book.   I hope you enjoy it and that I can give you something to think about today. Have fun.  



[00:00:53] Unknown:

Hey, everyone, and welcome back.   Ready to dive in. Today, we're tackling communication styles. Always a fascinating topic. It really is. Now I know our listeners are already pretty savvy about this stuff, but we're going beyond those basic   definitions. You know? Absolutely. Digging into how those styles develop, the ways we blend them without even realizing it, and most importantly, how understanding all this can really make a difference in how we navigate,   well, just about everything. Now one of the first things that jumped out at me from your research was this idea of communication styles being like fingerprints. Oh, absolutely. Totally unique, shaped by our experiences, how we grew up, all that. And the material you shared, it really digs into the impact of family dynamics, which I always find fascinating. Right. I mean, picture this. Yeah. Someone who grew up in a huge family always having to fight to be heard versus someone from a small, quiet household,  

[00:01:45] Unknown:

their communication styles Mhmm. Probably night and day. Totally. Makes you think about how much is ingrained from those early days. You know? Almost like we're working from a script we don't even realize we've got. Those families where debate was the main dinnertime activity.  

[00:02:01] Unknown:

Those poor dinner plates. Seriously. Yeah. But you can bet those conversations hone some serious communication skills. Absolutely. It's like we develop a specific set of tools based on the environment we're in. Right. Those early experiences,  

[00:02:13] Unknown:

they can really shape how we assert ourselves, how we listen, even how comfortable we are expressing emotions.  

[00:02:19] Unknown:

It's true. I mean, growing up with siblings,   it was like a constant battle to get a word in edgewise.  

[00:02:25] Unknown:

Humor. Oh. That was my tactic. I can see that. Still is, honestly. Well, it clearly worked, but it highlights something really important.   Communication   isn't just about the words themselves. Right? No. Not at all. It's about the strategies we tick up along the way to navigate our social worlds. Totally.  

[00:02:42] Unknown:

And speaking of strategies,   the research dives into these 4 distinct communication styles,   informative,   directive,   entertaining,   and inspiring.   And while those are super useful starting points, I think we all know it's really that cut and dry in real life. Right? Oh, absolutely. Most of us, we're a mix. We adapt. We shift gears depending on who we're talking to, what's going on, what we're trying to achieve. Exactly. So it's less about being a master of one style and more about understanding how to use them all strategically.  

[00:03:11] Unknown:

It's like having a whole toolbox. Right? Love that analogy. You wouldn't use a hammer when you need a screwdriver. Definitely not. Each one has its purpose. So becoming a more effective communicator, it's about recognizing the strengths of each style and knowing when to bring them out.   So it's all about being adaptable. Exactly. Yeah. It really is. And knowing which tool to use when right. Right. Like, say you're leading a team through some kind of crisis.   A directive style   is probably gonna be your best bet. Makes sense. Clear, direct, action oriented. Exactly. But then you're in a brainstorming session. You might wanna switch gears. Loosen things up a bit. Yeah. Maybe tap into that entertaining style and encourage some out of the box thinking. I like it.  

[00:03:54] Unknown:

So it's about being adaptable, reading the room. Absolutely. Being aware of our own tendencies,  

[00:03:59] Unknown:

for sure, but also,  

[00:04:01] Unknown:

you know, being sensitive to the situation, the people we're with. Definitely. And your research, it actually goes a little deeper with that inspiring style, especially when it comes to nonverbals. Mhmm. Because it's one thing to have a powerful message. Right? It's huge.   But how we're coming across, our body language, our tone, all of that plays a role too. It's everything. You think about those speakers who just captivate a room. You know? Oh, yeah.  

[00:04:26] Unknown:

Total rock stars. It's not just what they're saying. It's their presence, their energy, the way they embody that message. And there's actually some cool neuroscience behind this, mirror neurons, for example. K. Now you've got my attention.   So these neurons, they fire both when we see someone doing something and when we do it ourselves. Right?   So when we see someone expressing an emotion   and their body language is matching up We're picking up on that. Our brains are like, we're feeling that too. It creates this incredible connection,  

[00:04:55] Unknown:

empathy. Wow. I never thought about it that way, but it makes so much sense. It's like their passion is contagious.  

[00:05:00] Unknown:

You know? Exactly. And when you combine that with a message that's clear, delivered with purpose,   the impact is amplified like crazy. Which makes me think about  

[00:05:10] Unknown:

advertising,   marketing. I mean, those commercials that give you chills or make you laugh out loud. Oh, yeah. They're not just selling a product. They're tapping into something much deeper. Totally. They're crafting an experience and emotional connection that stays with you. Even after that 30 seconds is over. Exactly.  

[00:05:28] Unknown:

Because they get it.   To really reach someone, you've got to engage their mind, their heart, even their mirror neurons.  

[00:05:35] Unknown:

So we've talked about what effective communication can do, but what about when it goes wrong,  

[00:05:41] Unknown:

when things break down? What happens then? That's the flip side, isn't it? Uh-huh. And it can have some real consequences. Think about miscommunication  

[00:05:48] Unknown:

at work, for example. I've been there. Missed deadlines, misunderstandings,  

[00:05:52] Unknown:

conflict. And it's not just about productivity either. It takes an emotional toll. Totally. Think about personal relationships,   unspoken feelings, conflicts that never get resolved.   Over time, that creates distance,  

[00:06:05] Unknown:

resentment even. So what we're talking about here is bigger than just giving a good presentation or winning an argument. It's about those relationships, navigating the messiness of being human, doing it a little better. Absolutely. And the good news is communication  

[00:06:18] Unknown:

is a skill.  

[00:06:19] Unknown:

We can learn it. We can improve. That's a relief. Yeah. Because sometimes it feels like this is it. This is how I am. No. No. No. It takes practice, self awareness,  

[00:06:29] Unknown:

and,  

[00:06:30] Unknown:

you know, being willing to learn from our mistakes. Which we all make. But it is encouraging, you know, that we're not stuck, that we can grow and adapt just like that fingerprint analogy. We've all got our own unique style for sure. Right. But we can add new tools to our belts, become more well rounded communicator. Absolutely. Right? It's like we're always adding new tools to our communication toolbox. Exactly. And just like any craftsperson, we can always benefit from refining our skills, expanding that knowledge. Totally.   So as we wrap up this deep dive, is there one big takeaway you hope our listeners will walk away with today out of everything we've covered?  



[00:07:05] Unknown:

That's a tough one. But if I had to pick just one, I'd say it's this.   All those techniques,   strategies, they're important,   but the foundation of truly effective communication,   authenticity.  

[00:07:19] Unknown:

Yes.   That resonates so much with me. It's not about putting on some kind of act, trying to be someone we're not. Right. It's about showing up as ourselves   authentically.  

[00:07:29] Unknown:

Exactly. And people can tell. You know? When we're being genuine, it shines through. It builds trust, real connection.   It's about being present, being real, approaching every conversation with respect, openness. Absolutely. And, you know, being mindful of our intentions too. Like, are we trying to manipulate the conversation, control it, or are we really trying to understand, connect, have a genuine back and forth? That's a powerful question to ask ourselves before we even start talking and even during. It reminds us that communication, it's a two way street. Yep. It's not just about getting our point across. Right? It's about truly listening, being present, making space for that genuine exchange. This deep dive has really got me thinking about  

[00:08:08] Unknown:

the power of communication   to, well, change things. We've talked about informing, directing, entertaining, inspiring.   But what about healing?   Can we use communication   as a force for good   in our relationships in the world? Wow.  

[00:08:24] Unknown:

What a beautiful thought provoking question to end on. It really gets to the heart of what makes communication so profound. Maybe that's something for all of us to reflect on. I think so.  

[00:08:34] Unknown:

We hope this deep dive has given you some fresh perspectives,   some new insights into this whole art of communication. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep those communication channels wide open.  

[00:08:53] Martin Kloss:

Hi, everyone. It's me again. Just a quick note before I let you go. I hope you found today's episode entertaining,   engaging, and maybe even inspiring.   If you did, please spread the word. And if you didn't, please keep it to yourself.   And if you wanna know more, have any questions, or wanna work with me, please get in touch with me on martinklaus.com   or on LinkedIn.   Now have a great day. Go out and do something fun.