Number 35 of 52 Compelling Communicators: Linda Mangnall

September 02, 2013

I have known Linda for over 20 years and for a good part of that time she has been in smaller communities in BC. When we worked together in the early years, she was jet setting off to Chicago on a regular basis. Her transition from big cities to small towns took great communications finesse. One  of the fringe benefits of Linda's distance is getting her lovely emails.  Here is a snippet from a recent one:

 "The chance to spend time with you two wonderful and amazing women was an absolute highlight.  I come away from our get togethers both exhausted and enervated and vow to continue to parachute into your wild and wacky lives as often as possible"

 How many people use the word enervated...and in an email?! Linda's emails are like letters of a bygone era. Rather than saying "it was great to see you", she takes the time to make it highly personal and interesting. Maybe we should all take a bit more time with our email messages. 

How would you describe yourself as a child?
Outgoing and exuberant with many hours spent daydreaming. 

What helped you become a good communicator?
My evolving communications style comes from observing people and from reading. I learn as much from the poor communicators as the talented ones and rarely read a book without a pencil in hand to circle and note. Della Smith has been an essential mentor since my early career and she, along with other talented friends and colleagues, form a group of trusted confidants who push me to grow.  I also take the time to reflect on my successes and failures.

What are the traits of a good communicator?
Interest and interaction.  Genuine interest leads to positive communication experiences in almost any circumstances and overcomes many potentially limiting factors such as shyness, knowledge or confidence. A good communicator finds in every person or situation some gem that tweaks curiosity - although digging around is sometimes required. Another vital trait is the willingness to be interactive, both listening actively and contributing.  Genuine interest leads to interaction and meaningful interaction peaks interest. 


What tip or advice would you give to help people become better communicators?
Intention. Recognizing your intention and the intention of others is an invaluable tool for communicating well, in both written and verbal communications. Being clear about your intention avoids giving way to unconscious demons. For example, is your intention to lift esteem or diminish it? To assert your position or to clear up a misunderstanding? To reprimand an employee or to provide new skills? To receive sympathy or to share an experience? Similarly, interpreting intention when you are on the receiving end of a poor communicator helps to guide your reaction towards firmness or kindness.

 Good communicators know that there is no such thing as neutral communications. We communicate the second we walk into a room, speak into a phone or look at a stranger across a counter. Our facial expressions, words (or silence), tones of voice, turn of phrase, interruptions, choice in clothing and body language all communicate. 

What is your biggest communication related pet peeve?
Those mysterious letters called acronyms. People and companies use acronyms and industry-exclusive terms and then wonder why their message or services have low awareness. Recently I was working with a public health organization. They were bemoaning the lack of uptake for their service yet the name of the service was a string of letters that meant nothing to anyone but their internal organization. The use of acronyms is excessive and most often exclude rather than include, particularly in our multi-lingual society. Use words. Unless you're ordering a BLT.

Who do you think is a famous compelling communicator? And, what makes him or her compelling? 
Without sounding trite, I nominate my dog.  She may not be famous but her ability to communicate effectively and invoke both affection and ire with only body language is amazing to watch.

Linda Mangnall is a project manager, freelance writer and communications consultant.  She specializes in managing group projects and writing profiles, which gives her the opportunity to chat often and extensively.  She spent half of her life in Vancouver until moving, twice, to small towns - Smithers, BC and Whitecourt, Alberta. 
 

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