Communication Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to communicate effectively in diverse situations, understanding and adapting to different communication styles, and conveying messages clearly and persuasively.
Primary Implication
Even though communication is nothing more than the imparting or exchanging of information. Communication problems are quick to arise when what one person says is misunderstood or misinterpreted by the recipient of the message. While this is commonplace, it doesn’t have to be frequent if you learn how to be an effective communicator.
Overview
The goal for people with high communication intelligence, referred to as CQ, is to be deliberate in their conversations so that the exchange of information is understood. Often, their conversations are about challenging and encouraging another person or persons to step out of their comfort zone to act. To utilize untapped, under-utilized skills and capabilities needed to realize a goal. To advance an action that needs to be taken or a decision that needs to be made.
Their conversations will involve the who, what, when, and where of action plans. They will explore what resources are needed and how they might be obtained. They are active listeners who are open to working together on how best to proceed. They effectively offer their perspectives, expertise, knowledge, and advice when appropriate. Are open to exploring lessons in failure with a learner’s mind and quick to express their belief in the capabilities of the person they are talking with to see their commitment through to completion.
People with high CQ can have these types of conversations because of their ability to listen, ask, and adjust how they communicate to stay in dialogue. When they initiate conversations, it’s about the other’s strengths, values, and aspirations to appreciate what’s important to those involved. They listen intently to recognize what they have an affinity for to start where they are, not where the conversation initiator is.
Their attention is focused on the person they are speaking to, not just the issue on the table. Nor the last conversation they had, nor the conversation they will have next, nor anything that distracts them from being fully engaged in their conversation. People with high CQ will reschedule a conversation if they aren’t able to give the attention the conversation deserves.
High CQ people will ask about and listen for what’s important to the person they are trying to connect with. They will probe values, aspirations, intentions, wants and needs to see where common ground exists that can be built from. They will ask about and listen to the other’s state of mind. They pay close attention to shared experiences, thoughts, feelings, and mindsets to appreciate their view of reality to the topic at hand.
During the conversation, high CQ people will reflect back to check that what they hear is real for those involved in the conversation. They do this to adjust how they talk so they can stay in dialogue until the decisions to be made and actions to take are mutually clear.
In their planned actions follow-up, they will praise and acknowledge progress and celebrate both small wins and big leaps before dealing with anything negative. They remain disciplined in their check-ins by adhering to a philosophy espoused by Benjamin Franklin, “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
The most influential individuals in business are those who can get things done and, at the same time, build relationships of trust through their ability to communicate effectively. These are those who bring their IQ, EQ, and CQ to everything they do and everyone they engage.
