One of the key principles I live my life by is to “speak what needs to be heard.” If you want to be a more effective communicator in your leadership role, let me unpack this concept for you further.
Focus Your Communication Efforts
Under no circumstance should a raw, un-molded idea leave the mouth of a leader. Too much weight lies upon words for a passing thought to warrant being spewn into the ever-growing pool of garbage thoughts. Concise, honed, pertinent messages are instrumental in effective communication.
At the core of effective communication, a leader must know, without a doubt, why the audience will care. If you don’t believe they need to hear what you have to say, then they probably won’t either.
Patiently developed communication isn’t enough. Those who speak last will always be overshadowed by those who simply convey what actually needs to be heard. In order to do this, you must first be sure that you are hearing your counterpart out and responding appropriately. In other words, if you want to be taken seriously – to be respected and to be admired – it’s not enough to just shut your mouth. You must also open your ears.
True listening goes deep into the emotional and behavioral cues being given to you. It does not stop when a conversation ends. This reality requires a leader to listen longer and more deeply than others are willing to. If you can do that, I guarantee your relationships will begin to blossom in a whole new way.
Developing habits that encourage productive and meaningful communication are only
marginally focused on the actual return of words or information. Without a doubt, well over half of successful communication entails active listening. You must listen to the needs of those around you. Listen to the details and, through both verbal and internal reflection, build the whole picture of what they are trying to show you. Seriously good communicators and relationship-builders are able to develop a clear image in their heads of the narrative being presented to them. Then, they add to it by filling in the missing gaps.
Principles of Engagement
It’s also true that great leaders are not always the best at verbalizing their thoughts. Thank goodness, communication is not limited to that which is spoken. Successful dialogue can be achieved on multiple levels, but key developments take place when the party initiating communication is rooted in the following essential concepts:
Be Inquisitive
Being inquisitive is at the heart of effective communication. It involves more than just asking questions. It requires an active engagement in conversations, driven by a genuine curiosity about others’ perspectives.
Inquisitiveness involves a desire to explore and make fresh discoveries. It encourages us to dig deeper into the feelings and choices of those we interact with. By being inquisitive, we seek to affirm that we actually pick up on and understand the underlying messages being sent our way. This form of engagement enhances our communication skills, allowing us to respond thoughtfully and empathetically. These responses, in turn, strengthen each relationship at hand and build stronger trust.
Be Caring
Caring communication is foundational for nurturing meaningful relationships. When we communicate with care, we prioritize the needs of those we are addressing. We make it clear that we know what they are going through and that we are hearing their hearts. This involves showing that we are here for them, offering genuine concern for their well-being and their concerns.
All of this helps us to create an open space for more honest and productive dialogues. In the process, we reinforce our commitment to one another. We demonstrate that we genuinely value each other’s experience and input.
Be Open
Openness in communication is about embracing transparency and honesty. It requires us to be vulnerable, sharing our thoughts and feelings while also staying receptive to the constructive feedback of others.
Open communication forms the necessary framework for a culture of trust and respect. With it, ideas can flow freely without anyone experiencing a threat of judgment. Such openness encourages active listening and engagement, as we become more willing to consider different viewpoints and to change our own.
By staying open and teachable, we enhance our ability to achieve deeper connections and more collaborative relationships. This is bound to produce more successful and meaningful exchanges.
Be Present
Being present in communication means giving our full attention to the conversation at hand. It involves eliminating distractions and focusing entirely on the speaker.
This is utterly crucial. When we are present, we engage more fully in conversations. This shows that we respect the other person’s time and perspective. Our attentiveness enhances our ability to understand and respond appropriately, and helps the other individual remain at ease. In the meantime, we demonstrate our commitment to lean into the interaction, bond with one another and to reach mutually benefiting insights together.
Learn to Be Deliberate
In order to develop these key skills, it usually takes deliberate practice and intention. As much as you want it to come naturally, it probably won’t feel natural at all. We live in a society plagued by disconnection and apathy, which does not bode well for communication. The beauty lies, however, in that despite this difficulty, other humans always respond to attempts to communicate. Our desire for connection is such a core, fundamental part of the design of our species. We tend to work with whatever signals we are given to make communication function successfully.
With all this in mind, as an initiator of communication, you don’t just have an opportunity to develop your skills. You get the chance to lead others into one of the most natural and fulfilling ways to express what it actually means to be human. What an honor.
