COMMUNICATION: The Key To Effective Leadership

For leaders, however, communication is especially important to success. Despite this obvious realization, it likely doesn’t come as a big surprise that most leaders spend the overwhelming majority of their time each day in some type of an interpersonal situation, or that a large number of organizational problems occur as a result of poor communication. This paradox is precisely why leaders must focus on communication skills.

Without clearly articulated expectations from leadership, employees are often left to play the “guessing game.” By effectively communicating, a leader will create positive employee morale, optimal work production, and credibility with clients.

So, how do you know if you are the next “Great Communicator?” The answer lies in your day-to-day interactions with people. Consistently following a few obvious principles, will ensure that you are communicating effectively.

Don’t Engage in Double-Talk: Let’s be honest, people will not open up to you if they do not trust you. As a leader, your reputation for honesty and for being trustworthy is critical. If people sense that their leader is worthy of their trust they will invest time and take risks in ways they never would if their leader had a reputation built upon poor character or lack of integrity. Don’t make false promises, or promise support when you do not intend to deliver. Remember, trust must be earned and is rarely given upon demand; and people will judge you by what you say and do, not by your intent. So, lead by example by communicating your positions with honesty and integrity.

Get Personal: All of us are guilty of issuing corporate mandates via email. While mass email communication is often needed (especially in a large workplace), the most effective way to communicate with your employees is to “get personal.” Perhaps Theodore Roosevelt put it best when he said that “nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.” Approaching communication as a dialogue with employees, rather than a monologue, can make employees feel valued while assisting you in keeping your finger on the pulse of what is happening in the workplace.

Be Specific: Learn to communicate with clarity. Time has never been more important than it is today. Be concise and cut to the chase. People are not mind readers. Thus, sending long rambling messages will only cause your purpose to be buried. Weed out the fluff and make your words count.

Keep An Open Mind: “A leader takes their game to a whole new level the minute they willingly seek out those who hold dissenting opinions and opposing positions with the goal not of convincing them to change their minds, but with the goal of understanding what’s on their mind.” Embrace opposing views. It is often the clash of opposing views that yields the greatest successes. Finding common ground with people while maintaining your individuality and integrity is the true measure of your leadership skills.

Shut-Up and Listen: Communication is not a one way street. More than any other trait, great leaders are also great listeners. Approaching leadership as a means of spouting your goals and message will never be effective. “The greatest form of discourse takes place within a conversation, and not a lecture or a monologue. When you reach that point in your life where the light bulb goes off, and you begin to understand that knowledge is not gained by flapping your lips, but by removing your ear wax, you have taken the first step to becoming a skilled communicator.”

So, what’s the bottom-line? When you have a message to communicate (either directly, or indirectly) make sure it’s true and correct, well-reasoned, and supported by solid business logic. Perhaps equally important is that your message is consistent, clear and accurate. Remember that strong leadership through effective communications is not about you, your opinions, your positions or your circumstances. It is about helping others by meeting their needs, understanding their concerns, and adding value to their positions. Strengthening communication skills will drastically reduce the number of communication related problems in your future.

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