Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Thursday, so this post is on communication skills.

Continental Flight 1421, Cleveland to Denver.  I get an upgrade and am in 3B.  Just after I sit down, the guy in 3A shows up.  I get up to let him into his seat.  He says “thanks”.  Then he holds out his hand, and says “I’m Andy Fiffick”.  I shake his hand and say “Bud Bilanich”.  A very interesting conversation followed.

As it turns out Andy is the CEO of RadAir Car Care.  He owns six automobile repair shops in the greater Cleveland area.  He was on his way to Denver, along with one of his Service Writers to attend a customer service for the auto repair industry workshop. 

I bring this up here, because Andy Fiffick is a master at conversation.  And conversation skills – along with writing and presentations -- is one of the three key communication skills that all career stars have mastered.

Andy took the initiative.  Before we had even settled into our seats, he looked me in the eye, introduced himself by name and shook my hand.   That’s a great start to any conversation. 

But Andy didn’t stop there.  He engaged me.  He asked why I was going to Denver.  I told him that I lived there.  He then offered information about himself.  He told me about the workshop.  This is a great way to begin any conversation.  Andy did all of these things very well.

Andy is in the automobile repair business.  Cars are his life.  He enjoys them and knows a lot about them.  To me, a car is a way of getting from one place to another.  When I lived in New York, I thought that one the main advantages of living in New York was that I didn’t have to own a car.

However, Andy was so enthusiastic about cars and the car repair business, I wanted to chat with him.  He explained the different “tiers” of the business.  He offered some advice on maintaining our two cars.  He asked about my business.  He was very interested in what I do.  In short, we had a great give and take discussion.  We both sought out topics conversation we had in common.  By doing this, we were able to learn about one another.

Andy also demonstrated another important conversation skill: the willingness to offer help without the expectation of anything in return.  I mentioned that a friend of mine has a son who is interested in pursuing a degree in Automotive Technology.  Andy offered to look into schools in my friend’s area and recommend a good one.

By the time we landed in Denver, I wished Andy’s auto repair shops were here.  If you live in the Cleveland area, you might want to check out his operation.  Go to www.RadAir.com. 

Andy Fiffick is an excellent conversationalist.  Here are few of the things that make for any good conversation.  Andy did all of them.

1. Take the initiative.  Introduce yourself and shake hands.
2. Get the other person speaking.  Ask something about the other person.
3. Open up to the other person.  Offer some information about yourself.
4. Be enthusiastic.  Let your passion for who you are and what you do show through.
5. Be open to learning about the other person.  Ask questions, listen, show you understand.
6. Engage in a give and take.  Don’t dominate the discussion, but don’t make the other person do all the work.
7. Be willing to offer help, if appropriate.

If you follow these seven simple common sense steps, you too can become a great conversationalist.  And conversation skills are key to becoming a star in your career and life.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com.TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.