If you want to be a successful leader, it’s important to pay attention to your words and not just the way you present yourself. Being silver-tongued is a great asset for a leader as leadership communication is about persuading others to take action.
That’s why speaking effectively is a key aspect of being a good leader. It can help you express ideas with clarity and build lasting relationships. Conveying your thoughts and ideas clearly to people in and outside your organization is a critical skill at the workplace.
Learning communication skills for leaders will help you climb the corporate ladder. We tell you what leadership communication skills are and why it’s important to have them.
What Is Leadership Communication?
It is only through communication that you can get things done at the workplace. Sharing relevant information, exchanging ideas and updating everyone on the work status are some of the critical tools that can help you fulfill various tasks efficiently.
Ideas usually trickle down from the senior management to those in lower rungs, which makes effective leadership communication critical. Here are some effective leadership communication strategies:
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Connect With Your Team
If you’re thinking about leadership communication as simply giving out information, you’re probably not on the right track. Making your team understand your intentions is an important aspect of effective communication.
It is important to make a personal connection too. You must talk to them one-on-one, and not just via emails or video calls. You can schedule meetings to connect with them in an informal setting. This way you will come across as approachable and friendly, and help your team members open up to you about work and related concerns.
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Pay Attention To How Your Listeners React To Your Words
Make sure that you have your listener’s attention while you’re speaking. If you think they are getting distracted, you can try changing your speech accordingly. Paying attention to how the listeners react to your words will help you figure out if they are getting distracted. Try to catch non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions to change your communication strategy.
Workplace communication is urgent and important. If your team members miss key messages and ideas, it may negatively impact the overall work strategy. You must ensure that you are able to put your point across efficiently.
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Follow Up To Make Sure Your Message Was Received
Leadership communication doesn’t end with you expressing your ideas and calling it a day. You should always be open to feedback. Another way is to follow up after a meeting to make sure that everyone’s on the same page. You may even ask a junior to gather all the relevant information to share with your team. Asking questions is another effective way to make sure there’s no confusion about what needs to be done.
As a leader, it’s important that you lead by example. Effective leadership communication can also make your team members feel valued, which, in turn, will encourage them to perform better. Accepting and integrating their ideas into your strategy will show them that you care.
Importance Of Leadership Communication
Effective leadership communication can bind your team together. Making an impact and persuading others to do what you expect is a powerful skill. Improving your leadership communication skills will help you achieve organizational goals, realize your ambitions and drive not just you but even your team to success.
Here are some aspects of leadership communication which will help you grow personally and professionally.
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You will be able to communicate your ideas with clarity and brevity
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You will be seen as a team player if you encourage your team members to speak up and participate in conversations
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Brainstorming sessions will become a lot more interesting, resulting in great ideas
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You’ll connect with your team on a deeper level and strengthen your relationships
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You will become a good listener and will be able to empathize with others
Communication skills for leaders aren’t just about speaking. However, it remains an important aspect of all types of communication. Harappa Education’s Speaking Effectively course will teach you how to deliver your message clearly. Concepts such as Aristotle’s Appeals (Logos or reasoning, Ethos or credibility, Pathos or emotions) will explain the importance of connecting with the listener. Arm yourself with advanced leadership communication skills to stand out at your workplace.
Explore topics such as Storytelling, Effective Communication, the Process of Communication, Business Communication, Communication Strategy & Professional Communication on the Harappa blog and learn to express ideas effectively.