There is no
doubt that communication is perhaps one of the most essential skills
that a person needs in her life. And although all of us do
communicate (we read, write, speak, and listen), not many of us do
well in all areas. And good communication - that is the very key to
powerful leadership.
Stephen Covey,
who in his book The 8th Habit:
From Effectiveness to Greatness writes,
Communication is without question the most important skill
in life. There are basically four modes of communication:
reading, writing, speaking, and listening. And most people
spend two-thirds to three-fourths of their waking hours
doing those four things. Of those four communication modes,
the one that represents 40 to 50 percent of our
communication time is listening - the one mode we have had
the least training in.
By improving
all these four types of communication modes with an emphasis on
listening, you can take your leadership to a whole new level.
To communicate
well, it is important that you pay attention to each and every
aspect of communicating. Speaking all the time, without listening to
what others have to say, will neither make you very popular, nor a
good leader. On the other hand, simply listening to what people
around you are saying but not speaking up and giving your input will
also not make you a good leader. The key is in learning how to
develop your communication skills so that you speak when necessary
and listen keenly.
When speaking
with your employees or others who look to you for leadership, you
should talk clearly and simply. Avoid using too many complicated
terms or technical jargon as this is only going to end up confusing
your listeners, which could cause your message to be lost. I often
ask others to tell me what they just heard to ensure that the
intention of my communication is understood.
However, in
trying to communicate and speak well, you should not forget that
talking is only one aspect of good communications. The other aspect,
and arguably the more important one, is listening. According to
leaders who are at the top of their field, listening is absolutely
vital in order to understand and to be understood. When you listen
to what people are saying (not simply 'hear' them, but actually
'listen'), you obtain a higher level of awareness about the other
person. Clarity of communication by the one who is speaking and the
one who is listening is the responsibility of both parties. Learn to
do both well and ensure that others do so also and you will augment
your leadership power.
When listening
to people, it is essential that you hear not just what they are
saying, but also what they are asking. People will not come right
out and ask you to respect them, or to appreciate their work, or
perhaps be a friend to them, or simply crack a smile at their jokes.
By listening well, asking for clarity, and ensuring that you
understand what others are saying will give you a much stronger
position to relate with them. Be careful not to add your own
perceptions to the message being presented, ask for clarification.
If you listen properly, you will be able to adjust to what the
situation demands, and will hence find yourself at the right place
at all times. Listen for the opportunity to contribute to others. Take the time to Listen Fully and Unleash Your Leadership Power!
All the best to you,
P.S. Visit our website The Leadership Resource for more valuable information to Lead with Confidence! |