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2 Simple Ways to Help You Communicate With Anyone Like a Jedi

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It may not be the droids we’re looking for, but the words we use can have just as dramatic of an effect on us. The danger with some entrepreneurs is that our ego or our vision can get in the way. We assume that the people we are talking to are on the same page as we are, and the words we use have the same meaning to others, which often leads to misunderstandings. If we slow down, and communicate like a Jedi, we can learn so much more.

Below are two ways that’ll help you build rapport, understand your clients or customers needs, and ultimately make more sales:

1. Ask The Lazy Jedi Questions

These are based on Clean Language and were devised by David Grove. They’re often associated with Neuro Linguistic Programming, but can be used in any setting. They’re two powerful questions that help you to put aside your ego and your assumption that you know what the other person means. Words are a terrible way to communicate and so we must dig deeper.

What kind of X (is that X)?

It may seem simple enough, but the application of it can create a deeper level of understanding. A co-worker may say they’re overworked, to which you can reply “What kind of overworked is that?” to help them truly discover the reality of their situation.

It can also be applied to yourself. For example, if you say “I will be successful by the end of the year,” this requires clarity to discover how you can do this. A good question to ask yourself is “What kind of success is that success?” It may seem clunky at first, but try it out. You can use it at work or in your personal life, and you’ll be surprised at how effective it can be.

Is there something else about X?

This could be used on it’s own or after the first question. We often assume when someone has finished talking that we have all of the information we need, yet that’s often not the case.

A little prompt can work well in helping to gain clarity. Our ego can’t wait to jump in and reply by giving advice. You must remember to be Jedi like since you don’t know all of the information yet.

Is there something else about that tech issue? Is there something else about that lack of motivation? Our goal is understanding, and by asking for clarity and mirroring their words back to them, we make sure that these lines of communication are open.

“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.” – Paul J. Meyer

Both of these questions are vital in negotiations in order to make sure both parties are clear on what is happening. For example, let’s look at a wage issue.

Employer: If you pull this client in, you will get a bonus

You: And what kind of bonus is that bonus?

Employer: I think a bonus of 5 figures would be coming your way.

You: Is there anything else about that bonus?

This applies to your home life as well. See below:

Spouse: I would like a romantic night out

You: What kind of romantic?”

How you deliver these questions will play an important role, which we’ll need the late night DJ voice.

2. The Jedi Mind Trick

Chris Vogler was the former FBI Lead International Kidnapping Negotiator. In his book “Never Split The Difference” he suggests a late night DJ voice. In addition, his Jedi Mind Trick is to use mirroring, to repeat the last 1- 3 words that were just said to you, with an upwards inflection.

This works in the same way as clean language and NLP because it guides the person into communicating more clearly by making sure you’re both speaking a similar language. It accepts that when other people uses words, they don’t necessarily have the same meaning that you attribute to them. This is especially true in a global marketplace where English might be someone’s second, third, or fourth language.

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato

We talk of people having a train of thought, and yet do all we can to derail it by using different words, and by diverting the conversation in different directions.

You can combine all of the above techniques to help see what is at the end of those tracks. This will lead to improved communication, rapport, and a deeper level of understanding. The upside is tremendous.

What are some of your best communication techniques, and how do you use them? Share below!

Darren Horne is an educator and consultant focusing on leadership and communications. He is an author of an award winning book, a Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner, on the board of trustees for an alcohol and addiction charity, and has been interviewed globally. His mission is to help a million people be a little happier. Darren also owns a martial arts studio focusing on mindfulness, emotional intelligence and life performance. You can find him on Facebook, and www.darrenhorne.com.

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Success Advice

The Courage to Break Free: Finding Purpose Beyond the Paycheck

Sold all my stuff and headed south. Again. Car? Gone. Furniture? Gone. Storage unit? Nope.

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Breaking free
Image Credit: Midjourney

Sold all my stuff and headed south. Again. Car? Gone. Furniture? Gone. Storage unit? Nope. I’m down to what fits in one suitcase (plus a closet in my mom’s house—shoutout moms). (more…)

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Success Advice

Is Failing Really That Important? Here’s the Truth

Failure makes people flexible, receptive, and more accommodating. 

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Importance of failure
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Facing failure and criticism is the most challenging task for any human being. Everyone loves success and hates failure. (more…)

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Why You Shouldn’t Discount A Brick And Mortar Store In 2025

We’re constantly told about how stores are closing down and how shoppers prefer online options, but is it worth questioning this theory?

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How to grow a brick and mortar store
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In 2024, you’d be forgiven for thinking that physical shopping is a thing of the past. We’re constantly told about how stores are closing down and how shoppers prefer online options. But is it worth questioning this theory? (more…)

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Success Advice

How to Alter Your Business Approach With Technological Advancements

Keeping up with technological trends has become a challenge for almost every business owner.

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altering business approach
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Technology’s evolution has impacted everything, and business is no exception. Keeping up with technological trends has become a challenge for almost every business owner. Entrepreneurs unable to do so are being wiped out of the market.

There is no doubt that AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) have taken over the business world. These technological advancements are impacting decision-making, success percentages, and other entrepreneurial aspects.

Adapting to these developments is integral to business success. Let’s explore how you can accomplish these milestones.

Embed the strength of AI and ML.

AI has modified business operations in major ways. For instance, companies have employed bots for customer support. These bots go through an effective learning process via Machine Learning before being able to answer like humans.  

According to CyberGhost (CG) bots can also perform detailed data analytics and make business moves with high success percentages.

ML is used more for the analysis of data chunks and generating successful predictions. This simply means that business owners do not have to worry about large-scale financial losses. 

In terms of deployment and usage, a reputed company like Netflix employs machine learning for decision-making.

Blockchain is increasing the count of business opportunities

Tampering of financial transactions is quite common and causes severe monetary damage to customers. With the rise of digital payments, this risk has increased. 

Blockchain is used to elevate your experience for monetary transfers. It combats penetrating events to extract confidential customer information. 

Most business sectors are using block chain but finance and supply chain management sections have a higher count. These two corporate sections have several monetary deposits and withdrawals taking place. 

In terms of percentage, approximately 72% and 5% of finance and supply chain firms have implemented block chain successfully.

Dedicate Yourself to Continuous Learning and Individual Development

You invest in learning some of the very important skills, including digital marketing, financial management, and how to gain customers as an entrepreneur.

You need to set up your knowledge base about doing business on Coursera and Udemy with the basics that are necessary for the business, building further by networking with experts through webinars.

Besides, Agile methodology will introduce elasticity to your company: this review and feedback system with further correction regularly will allow for enhancing efficiency and promptly reacting to the market.

Developing key skills to achieve goals

Running a business successfully is not only about having niche/domain knowledge. Business owners need to have communication / soft skills as well in addition to niche information.

Here are some key technical/domain-related areas that business owners should have a strong grip on.

Data Storage on Cloud: These days, companies do not store their data on physical servers. Therefore business owners should know how data is stored/edited/removed/updated via AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and other platforms.

Data Analysis/Interpretation Qualities: These days, data is as precious as gold. Business owners with data analysis abilities make correct predictions. As a result, their ventures grow in volume.

Development/Coding Knowledge

Programming knowledge gives business owners an edge whether the application is developed in-house or outsourced. It assists in getting updates deployed and handling application underperformance without getting professional support every time.

Hacking proof framework

There is no benefit of having an advanced automated system if can be penetrated. Successful business owners have above-average knowledge of cyber security and hacking attempts. They are able to choose top-notch anti-hacking software without much of an ambiguity.

Communication Abilities/Soft Skills

Here are some key communication qualities that business owners should have:

Communication/Conversation: Business owners should use to-the-point sentences in both written and oral communication.

Issue Resolution Abilities: Business owners should be able to drill down to problems and solve them. This is done successfully only if an entrepreneur has in-depth business domain knowledge.

Agile Implementations

It is mandatory for business owners to have knowledge of iterative/agile models. With such a competitive environment, it is impossible for business owners to succeed without adopting an agile framework.

Create a productive well-crafted Business Strategy

A productive business venture starts with a clear vision. The first factor making a business successful is the idea behind it. It helps with endless growth and combating competition successfully. Katherine Philips once mentioned that business goals are inevitable if goals are set concretely.

  • Goals should be based on smart achievements instead of complexity. Focus on the value that each one of them adds. 
  • Business objectives should not be vague. Key indicators should be constructed to measure the success/failure of each milestone.
  • Be realistic when setting goals. Do not aim at impossible milestones since they can be demotivating.
  • Milestones/goals need to be time-bound. Set a completion deadline for each one of them. 
  • Business goals should not be alien. Owners can think out of the box but not be obsolete / unrelated.

Create a productive well-crafted Business Strategy

Business owners cannot succeed without having a network. Some tips help in this case. Attend conferences and professional gatherings to connect with other entrepreneurs.
Here are some other related points business owners should pay attention to.

  • Attend meetings and conferences to stay updated with trends and meet business owners who already have well-set ventures. This helps in enhancing the learning curve of new / growing entrepreneurs.
  • Being a part of business communities/groups is very productive. When one shares opinions and discusses decision-making tactics, it helps in preventing errors and enhancing success rate.
  • Even the most experienced business owners have mentors as learning never stops. Take part in mentorship programs so there is an assurance that you are following the correct roadmap.

Conclusion

There is absolutely no doubt that business dimensions have evolved with technological advancements. Successful entrepreneurs have grabbed these changes in due course of time and continue to evolve. On the other hand, people following old paths and conventional steps fade out of competition. In a nutshell, keep an eye on the processes and practices you follow as these factors decide success rate.

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