Communication is absolutely critical to being an effective leader. In fact, it is perhaps the single most important attribute of an effective leader. Below we outline seven leadership communication tips to enable you to build trust, create a shared vision, and drive organizational results. It is estimated that up to 80% of a leader’s time is spent communicating.
Leadership Communication Tips
1. Know your audience and adapt. By knowing who you’re speaking to and understanding their concerns helps you discover how to build common ground and support. You can adapt your communication style to fit the needs of your audience.
2. Get to the Point. Just as you like to receive information that gets directly to the point, so do others. Don’t provide unnecessary or frivolous information that do not provide an identifiable benefit to the audience. Keep it simple and get to the main points, but be genuine. Always say what you mean and be honest.
3. Show Empathy. Employees will react differently when they receive new information. They may have concerns on how the information or project will impact them. Take an empathetic approach. Showing employees that you care about them and will address their concerns will make them feel valued within the organization. It will also instill confidence in you as a leader.
4. Body Language Matters. It is not just about what you say, but how you say it. Non-verbal communication can be just as important, if not more important, than verbal communication. A perfectly crafted message will be destroyed with the wrong body language. Stand in a confident, but not aggressive manner and maintain eye contact to gain rapport.
5. Actively Listen. It is important not only to know when to speak, but also when to listen. Sometimes employees want to be heard. Show that you are concerned for them by asking open-ended questions that enables them to express their concerns. Be sure to be actively engaged in the conversation; this is no time to excuse yourself to take a phone call.
6. Encourage Feedback and Challenges. Providing the opportunity for feedback from your team can produce great project results. It can also help you grow as a leader because you establish trust with your team. Take it to the next level by ensuring that your team is comfortable challenging your ideas. It is important not only to hear their suggestions, but to act on them.
7. Tell a Story. Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways of communicating a new message. It can be used to engage audiences through common experiences and it brings clarity to a project or objective. Telling a story creates trust and helps connect you with your audience. It also breaks down information into smaller pieces for your audience to grasp. This can be an invaluable tool when your audience is slammed with a ton of information from your project and other projects happening simultaneously at your organization.
Using these seven leadership communication tips will make you a more effective leader. You will see improvements in gaining rapport and trust from your team and how that translates in better overall business results.
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