Being a great communicator is not as simple in today’s world 0f instant feedback, quick judgement, and varying platforms to connect. As agriculture attempts to better connect with consumers, the challenge to penetrate and make a difference is highly difficult. At FarmTech this year, the opening keynote speaker, Jay Baer, attempted to unpack the opportunities and encourage the agriculture industry to make some communicative breakthroughs.
Baer’s book, Hug Your Haters, features several key tips for companies and individuals looking to be better their communication skills. A couple features noted by Baer are:
- Only reply twice to haters — engaging in a long drawn out discussion is not going to resolve anything;
- The power of empathy — The best way to handle the harshest of critics is to provide extra levels of kindness and warmth, essentially killing your critics with kindness.
According to Baer, it’s the desire for a quick response that makes communication so demanding in 2019. Whether it’s tweeting, texting, snapping, or phone calls, people demand a speedy response to get their concerns addressed. “With all the emojis, its like we are returning to caveman times,” he says adding that in this day and age, the elegant prose of a hand written letter has real impact because of its symbolism for time and effort.
As agriculture deals with praise and criticism from the mainstream Baer’s tips are bound to make a positive impact.
Listen to the full interview with RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney and Jay Baer on his opening keynote speech at FarmTech.
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