Precision of communication is important, more important than ever, in our era of hair trigger balances, when a false or misunderstood word may create as much disaster as a sudden thoughtless act.
James Thurber (December 8, 1894 – November 2, 1961)
As a leader, your communications are a critical component of your brand. You certainly don’t have to look far to see how organizations become handicapped by poor communication. Their brand becomes tarnished by underperformance. If a company’s brand is tarnished, so is the brand of the leader.
You see, how a leader communicates reflects on their character and competence. Clear enunciation, authoritative delivery and considerate expression all help form a solid brand. In addition, communicating with emotional control and professionalism forges trust with those you lead. They feel secure, knowing they’re in good hands.
When this topic comes up with my coaching clients, we discuss how the best leadership communication is based on facts, not speculation. Speak knowledgably and objectively to gain credibility. Wishful emotion and baseless assumptions don’t build a brand.
Be Credible
That’s right; credibility will elevate your communication. Credible leaders muster the most influence because they gather the most followers, regardless of the medium. If you do your homework and prepare thoughtful statements, delivered with insight and diplomacy, your personal brand will be boosted.
Good communicators explain things well: they speak in brief segments to avoid confusion, and summarize significant points. Ask questions to make sure your listeners grasp your message, and be open to questions from your audience. This conveys a desire to meet their needs and helps them participate in the dialogue.
Go Big
According to Dianna Booher in Communicate Like a Leader: Connecting Strategically to Coach, Inspire, and Get Things Done (Berrett-Koehler, 2017), speaking skills need to transfer to large group sessions as well. People are looking for hope and security in what you say, even if the news is difficult. Be positive, confident and trust your authority. Don’t be afraid to make a genuine emotional connection, and put their interests first.
What do you think? How do your communications impact your brand? What have you done to elevate your communication? I’d love to hear from you. You can call me at 561-582-6060, let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here, or on LinkedIn.
