How To Be An Effective Communicator In 7 Easy Steps
Following our recent LinkedIn poll, communication was voted as a key leadership trait needed right now. We thought you may like our top tips on how to be an effective communicator.
1. Build the relationship first
Leaders make time to build relationships. Speak to each team member regularly, build trust by delivering on your promises, build rapport and operate with transparency.
2. Listen more than you speak
Good listening is among the most important, but very often overlooked, principles of effective communication. Listen attentively and watch out for important comments, emotions, and reactions of the people you are with. With a better quality of information you can make better leadership judgements to help your teamwork through the matter they raise as most important for the business.
3. Communicate clearly & consistently
67% of our survey respondents highlighted regular communication as the most important factor when it comes to their productivity and effectiveness. This is particularly important as more employees continue to work remotely. Communicate clearly, and do it consistently. You will not only avoid misunderstandings in the workplace, but you will also earn respect through your honesty and clarity, and keep the morale of your team highly engaged.
4. Look out for non-verbal cues
Harder in a remote setting, but still not impossible. Research suggests that body language makes up more than half of what a person is communicating. To become an effective communicator, you must have not only impeccable speaking skills but also a keen understanding of non-verbal cues that accompany conversations. Great communicators are constantly tracking people’s reactions to what is being said – the voice tonality, body language, or facial expressions – and they can tailor their feedback and adjust their communication style when needed.
5. Choose the right time
Timing is a big factor in successful communication. Great leaders have the ability to judge the correct action at the right time. Whether you are planning to deliver good or bad news, or you are presenting a new idea, be aware of your audience’s mindset, environment and situation to achieve the best outcomes.
6. Model the behaviours that you want to promote
Talk about the ‘why’ frequently, so that you can tie actions and tasks to the main vision. Speak courteously and professionally at all times, especially in conflict situations, your team are more likely to model this behaviour, treating customers and each other with respect. You will be able to build a sense of community, creating another opportunity to strategically influence company culture and boost team dynamics.
7. Use a feedback loop
One of the best ways to improve your communication skills is to regularly ask for feedback. The best communicators never assume that the message people heard is the same one they intend to deliver. Use a feedback loop to check their understanding and to make sure they are experiencing shared meaning. If not, try to change things up and try to communicate your message again. In this way, you will avoid miscommunication and misunderstanding.
Finally
As a business leader, do not underestimate the amount of training and development required for your employees to master their skills to become effective and impactful leaders. When looking at your leadership programs make sure that communication is a key component. We have a network of top coaches who can support you. Get in touch via enquiries@abnresource.com if you have an interest in discussing further.
Thank you for reading. For more content please check out our blog and content on LinkedIn.
