Effective communication is a valuable skill to have as a leader and to empower your team members. Being able to communicate effectively allows you to share your vision for the future and foster a trustworthy environment that your colleagues can thrive in. Bettering your communication isn’t always an easy procedure, however to take your skills to the next level … here are some strategies to build effective leadership communication:
Be clear and concise
When you are communicating with your team, it is important to be clear and concise. Cluttering your channel of communication with complicated wording or instructions will only cause confusion and deviate from the end result you are targeting. Be sure to avoid using jargon or technical language that your team members may not understand. Simplicity is key, so make it a habit to implement brief yet direct language that anybody would be able to follow. It’s not about speaking to impress, but rather communicating to achieve a common objective.
Be specific
Telling your team members what it is you want them to do is not enough when tackling multi-step problems. The more complicated the tasks, the more guidance you need to provide as a leader. Therefore, don't just tell your team what you want them to do; tell them how to do it. It’s all about sequencing the difficult portions of a task into easier steps that make the job simpler to complete. Break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable points. This will help your team members to understand what is expected of them and to feel more confident in their ability to complete the task.
Be positive and enthusiastic
How you present yourself in the workplace plays a key role in how your team members perceive and interact with you. Your attitude is contagious. When you are positive and enthusiastic, your team members will be more likely to be motivated and engaged. Similarly, if you come in with a negative, pessimistic attitude it will be sure to rub off on your team members, and ruin the overall work experience you have together. To produce the best quality work, uphold a positive attitude and embrace any challenge presented in the workplace with your team members so you can tackle them with confidence.
Be open and honest
Transparency is vital to build credibility among your team members. It’s also very important when you are faced with tough times in the workplace. Be honest with your team members about the challenges and opportunities that your team is facing. This will help to build trust and credibility. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance on aspects of your work that can be tricky. The more you hide this information the less credibility you will have as a leader, and your team members will be apprehensive to rely on you for high-priority delegations.
Be a good listener
A central part of being an effective communicator has to do with your ability to listen. This makes effective communication a two-way street. Active listening enables you to take everything said by your team into consideration and provide feedback that holistically answers any concerns that are presented. With this being said, it is also crucial to practice active listening when receiving feedback on your own performance. Be confident with your performance as a leader will only pave a way for plateaus and prevent growth in your industry. It is important to listen to your team members and to take their feedback seriously in order to better understand their needs and concerns, and to make better decisions for the team.
Be authentic
Authenticity is a huge determinant of your success in any industry you choose to operate in. No matter where it is you decide to do business, people can spot a fake from a mile away. Don’t feel compelled to assimilate with the norm of your work environment and behave like something contrary to yourself. Operate within your businesses’ protocols, but also be yourself and be genuine in your communication. This will help you to connect with your team members on a personal level and to build stronger relationships.
Here are some additional tips for inspiring your team through communication:
- Share your vision. Outline what you want your team to achieve. How does your team contribute to the larger picture in regard to your company? Giving your team members a glimpse of your vision will keep them in tune to work towards achieving it at a steady pace.
- Set clear goals. Clearly state what your team members need to do in order to achieve the vision you have expressed. Once you have shared your vision, set clear and achievable goals for your team. If these goals are long-term and broad, break down the goals into smaller steps and deadlines. Communicate actively with your team members along the way to be sure the requirements for these goals are being achieved.
- Provide regular feedback. As stated previously, openness and clarity are key attributes to any thriving business. Giving your team members regular feedback on their performance promotes opportunities for growth. When giving this feedback, make sure it is specific, timely, and constructive to maximize retention. When you provide regular feedback, you help your team members to stay on track and to improve their performance.
- Recognize and reward achievements. The work leading up to achieving your vision is strenuous, so when it gets to a point where your team members achieve their goals, be sure to recognize and reward their efforts. Appreciating their efforts to do justice to your vision and the company’s future will only propel them to execute better work for the future. Motivating them and showing them that you value their hard work, will also preserve a positive relationship in the long-run.
- Create a positive and supportive work environment. Create a work environment where your team members feel valued and respected. This means encouraging collaboration, open communication, and creative thinking.
By following these strategies, you can become an effective leader, communicator and inspire your team to achieve great things. Consistency is key, so continue to implement these strategies on a daily basis and see yourself transform into a leader that your team respects and a leader your team can call on for any challenge that places itself in their way.
