BernabeGrey747
Improving Your Communication Skills For Effective Leadership
We often find ourselves in leadership positions in various capacities. This ranges from leadership at family level to organizational and national level. At whatever level you find himself in leadership position, there is naturally the urge to excel leadership-wise. Nevertheless, not many have discovered themselves successful in this regard. One of the important tools that let leaders down is the ineffective communication between them and the followers.
Communication is the process of sending and receiving information among people. It could be expressive or receptive. Effective communication skills are critical in the development of your career and personal lives. It's also critical in attaining leadership excellence. Clear and effective communication is therefore an attitude that anybody who hopes to achieve leadership excellence would strife to inculcate and continually improve on the art before attaining leadership positions at any level. Good leaders effectively motivate and inspire their followers through clear communication. Also, best organizations promote discipline, accountability and strategic alignment through clear and effective communication.
Communication is available in other ways. The most common ways are through speaking, writing, visual image and the body language. It might also be on the basis of organization's relationship (formal or informal), or on the basis of the organizational flow of information. Whatever the method used, the aim of communication is the same; the common goals are to change behavior, get action, ensure understanding, persuade, or to give and get information. Communication is ineffective when it does not attain the intended goal. This in turn leads to ineffective leadership for leaders. Therefore, to speak effectively, one must realize and accept that clear communication is always a two-way process. It isn't enough to talk clearly, but to make sure that you are being heard and understood.
Communication Involves Three Components: the verbal message (what we choose), the Para-verbal Messages (the way we say the words) and Nonverbal Messages (our body language). These Three Components are utilized to send clear and concise messages. They're also used to receive and properly understand messages sent to us. It is often confusing when the verbal component says "yes" for example and also the non-verbal shows "no." To communicate effectively, you have to align the three components of communication to portray the message being passed across.
Effective Verbal Messages should be brief, clearly understandable and organized. They must be free of jargon and don't create resistance within the listener. Nonverbal messages, however, would be the primary method in which we communicate emotions. They're evident within our facial expression, postures and gestures. Para-verbal communication refers to the messages that we transmit with the tone, pitch, and pacing in our voices. For example, expressions like "I am sorry" may not be understood to mean what it's intended when it's said in harsh tone.
The process of receiving the communicated message is listening. Listening is a key factor in Communication and requires concentration and. It calls for a psychological reference to the speaker. It also involves a desire and willingness to see things from the speaker's perspective. At this time, it's necessary that the listener suspends judgment or evaluation of the message and rather keeps a balanced view onto it first. Nonverbal listening involves giving full physical attention or just being conscious of the speaker's nonverbal messages; while verbal listening involves watching what and feelings that are being expressed. Much like in passing information, verbal, Nonverbal and Para-verbal listening is essential for any leader to get a true feedback from the followers.
Good communicators pass their message having the following factors appropriately considered:
1. Clarity of the message (make it simple and clear) 2. Adequacy of the message (provide enough information for proper understanding) 3. Integrity of the message (keep it precise because the original information) 4. Timing from the message (deliver it when needed and put)
For effective communication, it is required from the communicator to obtain or demand feedback in the listener to make sure that the message is well understood. The bottom line is, a good communicator should also be a good listener.
Other tips to good communication skills are:
1. Maintain eye-to-eye contact with the audience. 2. Body awareness - be confident and convincing. 3. Gestures and expressions. 4. Convey one's thoughts. 5. Practice effective communication skills.
Effective communication is really a two-way process. It involves passing the message and becoming a feedback (active listening). It reflects the accountability of the speaker and also the listener. It's very clear and free from stress.
