The Voice of Leadership

“If no one knows what you know or how you feel, it’s as good you not knowing or feeling.”

~ Sharmini Suthan 

Through the times, businesses have changed. While communication has always been an important skill, today it has grown as the key to success for organisations and leaders.

Leading a team is not easy. Leaders have high expectations on their shoulders. Leadership is not just about targets, it’s about motivating and growing the team, which is why leaders who are good communicators stand out. 

If you have an idea for a particular project, but you are unable to convey this idea to your team or your client, it is of no use. Being able to convey information is more important than having the expertise. No matter where you go, you'll be needing good communication skills to put your thoughts into words.

Good communicators understand that communication is a two-way process. It is not only about delivering what you know but also about how you receive information from others. Two critical factors influencing communication - giving and receiving – are key ingredients to communicate a compelling vision to achieve the desired results.

What hinders leaders doing exactly that?

At times we are so focused on what we have to say that we forget about adapting our content, let alone improving our psychological wellbeing for the conversation.

●        The lack of proper planning before communicating 

●        Knowing the nature of the audience. We face different groups of people or individuals – internal and external stakeholders that make up the work we do.

●        When trust is missing in a team, no matter what you do you won’t be able to communicate effectively. 

PRO TIP! Before any conversation, take out some time to frame your message to position the message you want to convey. Spend some time to warm up your voice and body. Walk out into the sun or up and down the stairs. Drink some warm water. It will help make you and the message more genuine, an important component of influencing people.

Factors influencing effective communication for leaders

A leader is as good as she communicates.

INSIDER HOPE: Our heart goes out to all the leaders out there. We feel you! All those high expectations on your shoulders. Please make sure that while you strive for optimal performance, you are also improving your overall wellbeing.

Let’s examine 3 big factors of communication and influence.

Authenticity

Find that unique voice that reflects your values and vision. Vulnerability and integrity are two things that draw people towards you and increases respect and loyalty.

Authenticity matters a lot when it comes to communication and influence.

Succinct

Being concise implies being spot on. While communicating when you lose yourself in detail, there are high chances you’ll lose the attention of your audience. Clarity is extremely important when it comes to effective communication. You want your audience to reach the desired point without losing them in between. As Jerry Weissman puts it, “Don’t make your audience think.”

Here’s a pithy and neat way to pitch ideas.

1. First, what is the context,
2. Then, why is this important,
3. Finish with what’s the impact.

Do not forget to add the call to action or ask.

Connectivity

Communication and influence require building logical and emotional connectivity between the speaker and the listener. Both these bridges reside in different parts of the human brain. And, in many instances, when making a business case we tend to focus on the logical argument only, ignoring the other.

And, by doing so, we make it easy for the listener to counter with another set of data that negates yours.

It involves scaffolding key skill sets such as improving listening skills, better conversation skills, emotional intelligence, how to collaborate with people, aligning purpose and articulating for influence.

When we establish a personal connection with our audience, you can be sure that you will leave an impact. Aside from credibility and reliability, building trust in people requires intimacy.

Here are some practices that will help improve communication skills as a leader.

Be specific and direct

No one wishes to sit around and listen to constant babbling that doesn’t make sense. While communicating do not exaggerate points. Beating around the bush often leads to the other person or group losing interest in what you have to say.

You need to be specific while laying your ideas. Do not let the idea hide behind complex words and information.

PRO TIP! If you need to polish this capability – for yourself or your team – consider the Think on Your Feet® course Singapore. 

Lead with the important part of your message

We can all agree that today’s human have a short attention span. While communicating with your team, lead with the most powerful part of the message. It grabs the attention of listeners and hooks them to want to know more.

Remember! Powerful to THEM, not you! 😉

Smoothness is important

A smooth flow of words is very important when it comes to communicating efficiently. Using filler words or sounds lessens the impact of your message, it also indicates lack of preparedness. You don’t want it to come out as if the issue of low importance to you.

You wouldn’t appreciate a jerky, bumpy, brake riddled journey when a driver takes you from Point A to Point B, would you?

 

Emote with your body

 

Emotions are contagious. When you are passionate, energetic, enthusiastic, your vibe will ripple through your audience.

 

A simple sentence like- ‘I know we can make it' when conveyed with a strong voice emphasis and a stable yet relaxed posture with strong eye contact will make others believe in it.

 

It is not just about what you say, how you say it also matters. Your non-verbal cues can either add value to your message; or detract it.

 

Listen and observe

 

Improving listening skills is very important to becoming good at communication and influence.

In a rush to share opinions, people don’t pay attention to what others have to say, significantly reducing the chances of learning something new.

An improving listening skills workshop will tell you to listen to what is being said and what is not being said. Plus, how it was said or not.

 

Keep you eyes and ears open!

 

Share stories

 

I dare say, no one hates stories. We all love stories.

 

We connect with stories easily, quickly and naturally. Stories have both the logical and emotional bridge the listener’s brain craves. Our brain is instantly and thoroughly engaged.

 

Why then do we not intuitively use stories to make the complex simple or to influence?

 

Ask them to ‘say more’

 

What does your team need from a leader? Flexibility and understanding are two things any team expects from their leader. Your team members need the leader to be open to their ideas.

 

“Tell me more” can do wonders when it comes to improving communication and building trust in teams. When you ask your team members to speak, they will be motivated to come up with ideas and solutions which will increase optimal performance in your organisation.

 

By giving them the opportunity to speak, experiment, to share opinions, we open doors for psychological safety and trust to flourish between you and your team. They will have the freedom of expression, to raise concerns and express doubts in front of you.

 

What can poor communication cost you as a leader?

 

It is natural for us to think that we might overshare and try to limit our words when communicating. But it will do more harm than good. An organisation lacking transparency cannot be psychologically safe to work in. It will hamper progress in wellbeing.

 

When you are not able to communicate ideas properly or communication becomes unorganised, things are going to become messy for you.

Poor communication can make a company lose their value. It may lead to losing a client or worse land you in court. 

Leaders with poor communication skills seldom make good leaders. 

Reference: 

1. https://www.mcgill.ca/engage/files/engage/effective_leadership_is_all_about_communicating_effectively_luthra_dahiya_2015.pdf

2.https://www.smartbrief.com/original/2021/12/elevate-workplace-conversations-these-2-words

3.https://www.smartbrief.com/original/2022/01/how-can-leaders-improve-connection-new-year

4.https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/communication-1-idea-3-facts-5-tips/ 

5. Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash