We have talked about connection before. Communicating freely requires a connection with the audience. One of the most effective ways to do that is to demonstrate your own understanding of the topic. Please note that this is different than simply saying, “I understand what I’m talking about and who I’m talking to.”

For example:

Just saying it: “I understand college students.”

Demonstrating understanding: “I was a college student not too long ago, and I remember what it was like to dig through the couch cushions for the $1.09 for a double cheeseburger at McDonalds.”

If your audience doesn’t know you, introduce yourself without listing exploits or bragging. They are not going to be impressed with accomplishments or degrees, if they think your are a jerk or disconnected from reality. Demonstrate that you are not those things, don’t assume that your audience knows you.

In order to communicate effectively, you must demonstrate that you understand:

1.) Topic – some have called this establishing credibility, but I would argue that credibility is bigger than just how much you know. Be careful not to separate yourself from the audience. If commenting about your qualifications has a specific purpose, then go ahead, but if you are just listing them to make the audience think you’re smart, stay away. Demonstrate your knowledge, don’t tell the audience how much you know.

2.) Audience – Regardless of how much you know about the subject matter, the truth is, the audience isn’t going to care unless they think you understand them. Part of this is going to be recognizing ahead of time who you are talking to. Who is in your audience? How old are they? What do they care about? What do they want to know? What is their interest in your topic? If you don’t know the answer to these things, you’d better find out.

3.) Context – If you are a guest speaker, be sure that you understand the setting. Who is your host? Why did they ask you? What follows you on the schedule? Who proceeded you? If you are not in a vacuum (you’re not) then don’t act like it.

4.) Life – This one is probably the hardest, and consequently, the most ignored. If you don’t understand life in general, no one is going to want to hear what you have to say. Be real up there. Even from behind the podium, the people need to know that you are a real person.

A demonstration of understanding could take your entire message lesson /talk /sermon /drama /speech /lecture to establish, but it will only require one showcase of a lack of understanding to destroy it.

Not knowing is different from not understanding. If you don’t know, the audience will forgive you as long as you don’t claim to know. Admitting that there are some things that you don’t know will demonstrate that you do, in fact, understand life.

Communication requires connection, and connection requires understanding.