Leadership should come with the ability to communicate well. Without a certain level of charm and skill in the spoken word, it would be hard to connect with the rest of the team. In any case, communication is always the key towards better cooperation, meeting expectations and encouraging improvement.
Good leaders make sure that communication between them and the team is a two-way channel. This means that they also empower their colleagues by giving them a voice. A great leader understands that they also have a lot to learn from other people’s insights, that’s why open communication is always a top priority. Other than that, most successful leaders communicate with their team effectively because of the following reasons:
1.Their messages are short but clear
As a leader, you should be aware how short most people’s attention spans are, so if you want your message to get across effectively, make sure that they still have your full attention while you are speaking. Making instructions and expectations clear saves you time and maximize the team’s productivity. You don’t want your hours wasted away because your members had to go back and forth just to clear things up with you.
2. They recognize due process
No organization is perfect. At any time, miscommunication and different kinds of blunder could happen. Good leaders know how to address their members at the right time, and even give them the opportunity to be heard and explain their side of the story before any reprimand is imposed.
Relaying important information should also be done within a reasonable time. Successful leaders realize that holding impromptu meetings can impair the team’s productivity and targeted timelines, so before setting an appointment, meeting or conference, make sure this does not conflict in any way with your team’s most important tasks and deadlines.
3. Keeping messages personal
Holding one-on-one sessions is usually a must, especially in a corporate setting. Great leaders know how to keep the conversation personal and private. Assuring confidentiality encourages members to open up more and be honest with what they really feel and think - and this is a step towards knowing how the organization can be improved.
Even during meetings, successful leaders know how to convey a message like they are actually talking to just one person instead of a group. The trick here is to find that common thread that holds the team together (like a purpose or end-goal) and encourages them to work towards that end.
4. Adapting to different avenues of learning
Some people are kinesthetic learners - meaning, it is more effective for them to learn something through physical activities and actual practice rather than mere lectures, seminars and visual demonstrations. A good leader recognizes this and would arrange different modes of activities to make every lesson memorable.
This does not have to be about outings and team buildings, it could be as easy as going out of the office and brainstorm ideas in a coffee shop or park that can stimulate fun and interest among the team.
5. They maintain an approachable aura
Exceptional skills and knowledge might catapult you to be a leader, but if the team finds you intimidating, there might not be much room for open and honest communication between you and them.
To be a successful leader, it is important to keep an approachable demeanour. You don’t have to act overly-friendly, it is enough to lend a listening ear and a helping hand from time to time. Shake off that intimidating aura by smiling and greeting the team each day.
Some people call it charisma or describe someone as a “people person” whenever they are good at interacting and inspiring others. This is more or less an indispensable quality for a leader. It is, after all, the one thing that sets them apart from all others in a room - the ability to connect with everyone else.
