[Mike Rose]

Start by always explaining things as if you were explaining to your (non-finance) mother…

Use language they would understand…

If they WOULDN”T understand – then perhaps the person in the business you are talking to might not.

AND

Do not be afraid to ask the business if YOU do not understand what they are saying… just because you are a finance expert doesn’t mean you should be an expert in their area.

Boils down to being clear, humble and honest!

[Chris Argent]

1. Active Listening: Make a conscious effort to listen to others without interrupting. Reflect on what they’re saying before responding. This shows respect and can help avoid misunderstandings.

2. Clarity and Precision: Be clear and precise in your communication. Avoid ambiguous or vague language that could be interpreted differently by others.

3. Empathy: Try to understand the other person’s point of view. Put yourself in their shoes to better grasp their feelings and motivations.

4. Ask Questions: If something is unclear, ask for clarification. This not only helps you understand better but also shows your interest in the conversation.

5. Avoid Assumptions: Don’t assume that others know what you’re thinking, and don’t assume you know what others are thinking. Clarify when in doubt.

6. Respect Differences: People may have different perspectives based on their experiences, cultural background, or personal beliefs. Respect these differences and try to find common ground.

7. Use Positive Language: Frame your thoughts in a positive way. Instead of saying what you don’t want, express what you do want. This can foster a more constructive conversation.

8. Non-Verbal Communication: Pay attention to body language and other non-verbal cues. These can provide additional context to spoken words.

9. Cultural Awareness: Be aware of cultural differences that might affect communication styles. What is acceptable or normal in one culture might be perceived differently in another.

10. Flexibility: Be open to adapting your communication style to accommodate others. Not everyone processes information the same way, so being flexible can enhance understanding.

Source: ChatGPT ????

[Lynne Titley]

Financial awareness training sessions for non-finance colleagues – bring them into our world a little bit/give them some exposure to terminology under controlled conditions, so that if you need to use it in a business context, they’ve had their basic training. I’ve done this in a few places & it’s gone down really well. Take the fear out of finance language so they don’t panic or zone out as soon as you need to use a technical term. They don’t necessarily need to retain it all but it can really help if they know they’ve heard it before. Ask them to reciprocate with an introduction to their world.