Effective Communication is the key to successful leadership

 


Most people think communication is just a matter of talking or sending emails here and there. Communication is beyond words and how you transmit the information to your audience matters so much.

What then is communication? Communication is simply an exchange of information or news. Effective communication is the ability to communicate with all stakeholders within and outside the organization and knowing how to communicate the information. 

Communication is vital in both human and business relationships. For communication to be effective it has to be a two-way street; where the sender is being understood and the receiver understands the information being sent.

“Leaders need to do more than just stand up and speak. They need to integrate communications into everything they do as leaders so that their communications, both oral and written, emerge from who they are as leaders and within the appropriate cultural context. Leaders who fail in communications will fail to achieve their organizational aims” -John Baldoni 

Effective leaders understand that communication is not just about them speaking but it is also about listening to ideas and opinions of others, receiving feedback, positive criticism and being able to respond in a perfect way. 

Like any other leadership skills, communication can be improved to become effective. There are clubs such as Toastmasters and Rotary where certain leadership qualities such as communication can be improved based on the tasks allocated to the club members during meetings. Below are important skills necessary for leaders to communicate effectively;

1. Listening – Listening is an important skill of communication. Most of us overlook listening and focus on what we are going to say. Active listening requires paying close attention to what the person is saying and being able to ask clarifying questions to ensure that you understand. Most leaders miss out on listening to the interest of their team members and often times fail to build relationships. 

2. Communicate with clarity – Effective communication is simple and clear. As a leader you have to communicate the goal of each task and direct the team on how they will achieve the task at hand without having to revert back to you for clarification at every stage. 

3. Know your audience – You have to study the people you are communicating with. 

4. Mindfulness – IF you have to be an effective communicator, you have to practice entering into a conversation with an open mind and being in the moment when talking or listening to someone. Most people get engrossed in their thoughts and often times will fail to understand what the other person is communicating. We get so focused in communicating in getting our message across and failing to listen to what the other person is saying.

5. Respect – People will be willing to communicate with you if they feel that you respect them. Simple actions like maintaining eye contact and using the person’s name and listening actively will make the person feel respected. When sending an email, take time to edit your response and ensure that your message is written properly. 

6. Feedback – Leaders understand that being able to receive and provide feedback is an important communication skill. Leaders should look for ways and means to provide constructive feedback to their team members. You can provide feedback either verbally, through phone calls or emails at a particular time.

7. Medium – It is important to know what channel of communication to use to convey the message. Some messages are better delivered in person and you also have to think about the person you are communicating with. 

Great leaders have been known to be effective communicators from time immemorial and they stand out from the crowd. They listen, they provide feedback, provide clear direction to their teams. They are always looking for ways and means to enhance their communication skills and become great leaders.

What step are you taking to improve your communication skill today? 


@Nandila Mubiana

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