No leader can fully perform without the ability to communicate. Leadership is influence, and influence is cultivated through the ability to persuade and build trust.
What does it take for a leader to communicate effectively? Three skills are essential for getting your message across to others.
1. Be Clear
This is so basic, and yet how many times do leaders find out that what they had said really wasn't fully understood? A leader cannot sell his vision to his team if he or she is not clear in what they're trying to say.
What does it take for a leader to communicate effectively? Three skills are essential for getting your message across to others.
1. Be Clear
This is so basic, and yet how many times do leaders find out that what they had said really wasn't fully understood? A leader cannot sell his vision to his team if he or she is not clear in what they're trying to say.
The words, examples and illustrations you use are critical to what people understand. Remember, it isn't what you say, but what people hear that's important.
2. Be Consistent
How many times have companies, armies or teams failed because the leader was inconsistent in what he or she wanted them to do? Mixed messages are more common than we would like to admit. Telling one group one thing and another group something else is another way to cause confusion and degrade your overall effectiveness. Being inconsistent in your marketing can be confusing to customers.
Leaders also need to act out a consistent message. Actions speak louder than words.
3. Be Committed
Communication is hard work. That's why many leaders have a hard time with it. You need to be committed to the difficult task of making sure your words are clear and that your team, department, customers or stakeholders understand what you're trying to say. The only way to do that is to be totally committed to good, solid communication and to learn what it takes to improve on a regular basis.
How's your level of communication? See if you need help shoring up any of these three points, and then make it a point to become better at the art of communication. It's not just about being a good speaker, but it's the total overall package: verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
And now, I invite you to sign up for my free newsletter Open Mic that offers tips like these and much more. And for information about booking me as a speaker at your next event, fill out this form.
2. Be Consistent
How many times have companies, armies or teams failed because the leader was inconsistent in what he or she wanted them to do? Mixed messages are more common than we would like to admit. Telling one group one thing and another group something else is another way to cause confusion and degrade your overall effectiveness. Being inconsistent in your marketing can be confusing to customers.
Leaders also need to act out a consistent message. Actions speak louder than words.
3. Be Committed
Communication is hard work. That's why many leaders have a hard time with it. You need to be committed to the difficult task of making sure your words are clear and that your team, department, customers or stakeholders understand what you're trying to say. The only way to do that is to be totally committed to good, solid communication and to learn what it takes to improve on a regular basis.
How's your level of communication? See if you need help shoring up any of these three points, and then make it a point to become better at the art of communication. It's not just about being a good speaker, but it's the total overall package: verbal, non-verbal and written communication.
And now, I invite you to sign up for my free newsletter Open Mic that offers tips like these and much more. And for information about booking me as a speaker at your next event, fill out this form.
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