Effective Communication Happens on Purpose

Effective communication is a vital aspect of successful leadership. Whether it’s conveying complex ideas, clarifying expectations, or simply keeping team members informed, effective communication can help foster positive relationships, build trust, and boost morale.

However, communicating effectively is not always easy, and leaders need to be intentional about the message, manner, and method of their communication to maximize its impact.

Message

The first key to effective communication is being clear on the purpose and content of the message. Before delivering any message, leaders need to ask themselves what they want to accomplish and what their audience needs to know. In short, what is their desired outcome for communicating the message. (You’d be surprised at how often this step is skipped – and how much confusion it creates!)

This requires a clear understanding of the information being shared, as well as the specific goals and objectives of the message. Leaders should strive to be concise, direct, and specific when communicating, avoiding ambiguity and vagueness. After all, if the message is unclear to the communicator, it will be completely lost on the receiver(s).

Manner

Which is more important: what you say or how you say it? Many would argue the latter!

Communicators need to think carefully about how they convey their message, taking into consideration the audience’s perspective, emotions, and reactions. A thoughtful and empathetic approach to communication can help build rapport and establish trust, making the message more likely to be received and understood. This may practical aspects, such as include using clear, simple language, avoiding technical jargon, as well as relational ones, such as demonstrating empathy and understanding.

Leaders also need to be mindful of their tone, body language, and non-verbal cues, which can convey more than the words being spoken. For example, using a calm and reassuring tone, maintaining eye contact, and avoiding defensive body language can help convey that the leader is confident and trustworthy, making the message more impactful.

Method

The method of communication is another critical aspect to consider. What type of communication should you initiate? Should you interact in-person or not? If in-person, should it be a one-on-one meeting, a team meeting or a presentation? Would a phone call or email be more appropriate? Is speed an efficiency more important or sensitivity and proximity?

Time and place play a big role in the whether the communication produces a positive outcome or whether it causes anxiety, confusion or resistance.

At the end of the day, each communicator is human. We all make mistakes and create confusion and misunderstanding from time to time. This is try of young professionals as well as tenured executives!

But the most effective leaders make the extra effort to consider ways they can create connection with their messages in support of positive outcomes for everyone.


This article is included in the Leadership-in-a-Box® program:

Communication Essentials


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