Communication, it is a cornerstone of leadership.
Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert, how well you communicate with others will define the strength of your workplace and your leadership.
You have to have the ability to convey your message effectively, it is the only way to share the vision, mission and purpose of your business. In the day to day running of your business you need to be able to share your strategy and how it relates to your vision. This is simply not possible without good communication.
If you have employees, then you will be empowering your staff and developing their leadership skills. As you give them support, direction and even feedback, your communication skills will be your most effective tool. If you are lacking in this area it will have a ripple effect to their performance and level of engagement. You will be facing an ongoing uphill battle.
I can appreciate that communication does not come naturally to all of us. Some of us need to actively work on improving how we deliver our ideas. The good news is, it’s possible! We can all develop great communication skills, it’s a learned behaviour and It is so much easier when it is done with purpose.
We are all familiar with mindfulness and its role in the workplace, it’s important to notice that this is exactly what purposeful communication is, a form of mindfulness. When we communicate with purpose we are focused on the message we want to relate and just on how it is received. It is an open, honest form of communication that includes empathy.
It is worth observing how you interact with others, self-awareness is key. Are you authentic and transparent when you talk to others? Do they know exactly what you mean? Are they on the same page?
By observing yourself and others, it soon becomes apparent if you are leading authentically. Your team knows that you mean what you say and you follow through. Do your team trust what you are saying to them?
When communication is genuine, actions speak as loudly as words. A leader who communicates purposefully also acts on what they say. None of us like working for that boss who talks a great talk and then it is all forgotten. Or worse, they say what sounds good in the moment when their actions tell a completely different story.
Purposeful communication has a job to do. It applies to any form of communication, not only with team members. Every relationship you have as you run your business will be impacted by how your ideas come across. If your communication is purposeful then your message will deliver the objectives you want. You will be both heard and understood.
Like most things, purposeful communication is a two-way street. Those who are talking to you also want to be heard and understood. Listening mindfully will also contribute a great deal to the conversation and to the ongoing relationship.
Our businesses are all built on relationships, and they come down to how well you reach out to the people you work with. How purposeful and effective is your communication?
