What Intention Are You Setting?
I see this quite often with my clients, whether they are working on developing a presentation or thinking through how to navigate a challenging conversation.
Their first impulse is to dive right into what they want to say, rather than think about what they want as an outcome or result of the communication they are crafting.
My recommendation for any important communication you develop is to first, think about and decide on the outcome or result you want from your intended audience.
What is your intention?
The Benefits of Intention Setting
Setting an intention for the outcome you are looking to achieve acts like a rudder on a boat – it helps to steer the direction and outcome of the presentation or conversation. If you are clear with your intention about what you want to achieve by the end of the presentation or conversation, you are more likely to get there.
1. Clarity
Setting an intention provides clarity for your message and will help you to create a message that is clear and concise, making it easier for your audience to understand and remember.
2. Focus
A clear intention for your presentation enables you to focus your time and energy on your message and structure for your presentation. In turn, this allows you to be more efficient with your time and create a more effective presentation.
3. Confidence
When you have a clear intention, you are more confident in your ability to deliver your message effectively. A higher level of confidence enables you to deliver your presentation with more enthusiasm and conviction.
As Stephen Covey, best-selling author of “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” once wrote: “Begin with the end in mind.” Before developing your content, think about your intention.
A clear intention is the first step to achieving the results you want.
Working on a presentation for a conference or upcoming meeting? Not sure how to navigate a difficult conversation with a co-worker, direct report, or maybe your manager? Does your team need help with coming together on a project? These are all areas where I can help!
Reach out for a Discovery call to see how Communication Coaching could be helpful for you and/or your team! I have a couple of open spots left for late spring/summer.