Effective communication is the cornerstone of exceptional leadership. Surprisingly, a study by Salesforce found that 86% of employees and executives cite lack of collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures. For leaders, the ability to convey ideas clearly and inspire action is paramount. Yet, not every leader has the luxury of time to refine these skills extensively.
As an executive leadership coach, I often work with clients to hone this very skill and here are concise, impactful strategies to enhance your leadership communication swiftly and effectively.
Embrace Brevity: Time is precious. Learn to convey your message concisely. This respect for brevity ensures that your essential points are delivered with clarity and without dilution.
Listen Actively: Great communication starts with listening. Dedicate a few minutes daily to practice active listening. This commitment can transform how you engage with your team.
Use Powerful Questions: Questions can be powerful tools. They guide thinking and elicit information. Incorporate thought-provoking questions into your dialogues to foster deeper insights.
Provide Clear Direction: A leader’s instructions must be unambiguous. Give directions that are both understandable and actionable to motivate your team toward common goals.
Follow Up with Empathy: Empathy strengthens connections. A brief, empathetic follow-up after important conversations shows you value your team’s contributions and well-being.
Even with just five minutes a day, these strategies can significantly elevate your communication skills, leading to more cohesive and motivated teams.
Lead From Within: In leadership, the art of communication is not just in sharing your vision but ensuring it resonates, motivates, and leads to action.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- 12 Successful Leadership Principles That Never Grow Old
- A Leadership Manifesto: A Guide To Greatness
- How to Succeed as A New Leader
- 12 of The Most Common Lies Leaders Tell Themselves
- 4 Proven Reasons Why Intuitive Leaders Make Great Leaders
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
- The Deception Trap of Leadership
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
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09. Jul, 2024
Wow, what a great post! The information is comprehensive and well-explained. This has been really helpful. Keep up the good work!