The need to communicate effectively is important in every aspect of our lives, and it is an especially important attribute for leaders. Much could be said about this subject. Here are just a few thoughts on effective communications:

Leaders need to realize when communication should be face to face. Just as author Gary Chapman is famous for writing about our “love languages”, I believe we all have a primary communication language. Leaders are aware of those who are slow to read their emails, and yet almost instantly respond to a text message. My preferred communication language is email, but I realize that in certain situations a text message can be more effective. However, more important than what our communication preference is, is the means of communication required for a particular situation. If you are dealing with a sensitive issue, or what some refer to as a “crucial conversation”, your communication should be face to face if possible. If that is not possible, a Zoom call or phone call might be the next best option. Sending an email or text may be the easiest or most convenient option, but it’s probably not the best means of communication in those situations.

Leaders need to be aware of tone in electronic communications. Related to the above item, the tone of an electronic (email or text) communication is open to interpretation by those who receive them. The tone that the receiver interprets is often based on their relationship with the person who sent the communication. For example, if I have a great relationship with my leader, and my leader sends me an email, I may not think anything about it. However, if I receive the exact same email from a leader that I’ve had conflict with in the past, I may very well take it completely differently. Leaders need to use good judgement about when to use electronic communications. If you have to communicate in this manner, and it is with someone you have not had the best relationship with in the past, even if the communication is routine in your eyes, be careful of how the receiver may interpret it. After you write it, read it from their perspective. Consider how they might receive it. Then edit as necessary until you are comfortable with it.

Leaders need to clearly communicate the roles and responsibilities on their teams. I recall several situations in which team dysfunction could have been eliminated and team harmony increased if the leaders would have taken the time to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the team. By not doing so led to conflict, suspicion and dysfunction. Leaders need to remember to do this with a new team, or when new team members are added to an existing team.

Leaders need to be clear in their communications. At times, leaders can be so vague in their communications that their message doesn’t come through. For example, have you ever had a meeting with someone and when the meeting was over you didn’t know if you just received some constructive criticism or not because the message was so vague? This could be a result of leadership courage from the person delivering the message. At times, leaders soften up the message because they are afraid to deliver the needed message. However, that can lead to the message being completely misunderstood. Leaders need to be direct so that their communication is effective. Leaders need to be prepared, stick to the facts, make good eye contact and confidently deliver the message they need to communicate.

Frequent Communication. In Patrick Lencioni’s book The Truth About Employee Engagement: A Fable About Addressing the Three Root Causes of Job Misery, he introduces us to the concept of anonymity. It is a concept that has stuck with me since I first read the book several years ago, when it was titled The Three Signs of a Miserable Job. He tells us that people cannot be fulfilled in their work if they are not known, and that people who see themselves as invisible, generic or anonymous cannot love their jobs, no matter what they are doing. Leaders need to know their team members as people, not just as members of their team. The way you get to know your team members is to communicate with them. If you don’t communicate with them on a frequent basis they will wonder if you even care about them. A good leader cares about their team members, about who they are, and not just what they can do for the organization.

These are just a few ways that communicating effectively is important for a leader. What would you add to the list?

This is an Adapted Excerpt From My Book “A LEADER WORTH FOLLOWING:
40 Key Leadership Attributes and Applications to Master”.