The WAVE Communication Model, developed by business consultant Linsey Mills, is a powerful tool for building positive relationships with others. Whether the situation is personal or professional, this model can help you connect with others meaningfully and effectively.
Welcome:
The first step of the WAVE Communication Model is to Welcome the other person warmly and genuinely, which means greeting them with a smile, making eye contact, and showing a sincere interest in them. When you make someone feel welcome, you create a positive first impression that can set the tone for the rest of your interaction. The Welcome step is essential in business settings, where a warm greeting can help to establish trust and build rapport with potential clients, partners, or colleagues.
Ask:
The second step of the WAVE Communication Model is to Ask questions to understand better the other person’s needs and concerns, which means actively listening to what they have to say and asking open-ended questions that encourage them to express themselves fully. By asking questions, you demonstrate a willingness to learn and to understand the other person’s perspective helping to build empathy and create a sense of connection between you and the other person.
Verify:
The third step of the WAVE Communication Model is to Verify the information you receive, which means checking that you have understood the other person’s perspective correctly and clarifying any misunderstandings or miscommunications. Verifying is especially important when there may be cultural or linguistic barriers to communication. By Verifying the information you receive, you can ensure that you are on the same page as the other person and have a shared understanding of the situation.
Engage:
The final step of the WAVE Communication Model is to Engage with the other person in a constructive and supportive manner which means finding ways to help them achieve their goals and develop a mutually beneficial relationship. Engaging with others can take many forms, from offering practical advice or support to simply being a good listener and sounding board. You can build strong connections that can last a lifetime by engaging with others in a positive and supportive way.
One of the key benefits of the WAVE Communication Model is that it can help to overcome communication barriers and build trust in diverse and multicultural settings. In today’s globalized world, we interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds daily, which can create challenges in communication, as different cultural norms and expectations can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunications. By following the WAVE approach, however, you can overcome these barriers and build trust with people from all walks of life.
Another benefit of the WAVE Communication Model is that it can help to build more effective and productive teams. When team members feel welcome and valued, you have created an environment for them to be motivated and engaged. By asking questions and verifying information, team members can ensure they have a shared understanding of the task at hand, reducing the risk of mistakes or misunderstandings. By engaging with each other constructively and supportively, team members can build stronger relationships and work together more effectively to achieve their goals.
The WAVE Communication Model is a powerful tool for building positive relationships with others. By following the steps of Welcome, Ask, Verify, and Engage, you can create a strong foundation of trust and understanding that can help you connect with others meaningfully and effectively. Whether in personal or professional settings, the WAVE communication model can help you to overcome communication barriers, build trust, and achieve your goals.