Leaders typically identify one of their strengths as communication. Ironically, one of the most common frustrations among followers is poor communication (The Workplace Communications Crisis, 2022). Booher (2017) identified strategic communication as the very core of leadership and stated, “When you as a leader speak, meet, negotiate, write, or network, you either clarify or confuse, motivate or demoralize, engage or enrage employees” (p. 3). Leaders can improve communication skills, and the best leaders will routinely self-assess, conduct audits, and make communication course corrections accordingly.
Communication is a Two-way Street
The process of communication involves sending, receiving, and understanding information. Sending information does not guarantee that it is ultimately understood. Leaders often assume that an email with an attached memo equals a message received, understood, and on its way to implementation. However, the other half of that equation involves many variables to determine success.
In the introduction to his bestselling work Surrounded by Idiots, Erikson highlighted the significance of studying people and their communication. “Since I began studying how people function and painstakingly strove to understand the differences in the way we communicate, I’ve never been the same.” Communication involves people with personalities, styles, worldviews, and preferences that likely differ from ours. Acknowledging communication as a two-way street may seem incredibly simple, but it is foundational to improvement.
Communication Involves Communicators
Everyone is a communicator, and each person has a unique style. The differences in communication style can serve as breakdown points or reflection points for effective communication strategy. Leaders who embrace this reality and hone their communication to fit the mutual communicators they work with can see remarkable progress in engagement and execution.
Not only must information be sent, but it must be received, processed, understood, and ultimately integrated. Conducting a communication audit is a helpful process to identify breakdown points and form a plan to make communication a positive force in organizational engagement and productivity. Leaders must ask when, how, why, and with what frequency information is being shared at all levels. Fine-tuning those aspects with the recipients’ styles and needs in mind goes a long way toward cultivating clarity and contributing to trust, loyalty, and productivity.
Variation, Repetition, and Repetition
Practically, there is a remarkable benefit to communicating across multiple channels, in varying formats, and repetitively. An email sent, a memo delivered, or a bullet point list at the end of a team meeting does not ensure that everybody has received and is acting on the disseminated information.
Having multiple touchpoints that include written and spoken formats is a simple but effective way to increase communication impact. Automated communication tools make it easier than ever to set up a communication plan with repetition and variation.
70% of leaders believe their communication is concise and engaging. 60% of employees disagree (The Workplace Communications Crisis, 2022). This disparity is an astounding opportunity for leaders to reflect and grow. Recognizing the dual nature of communication and understanding the personal nuances are perspective shifts that can impact leadership effectiveness in this area. Practically, weaving together a communication plan that incorporates multiple ways of communication numerous times is a simple but powerful strategy to bring clarity.
References
Booher, Dianna. Communicate like a Leader: Connecting Strategically to Coach, Inspire, and Get Things Done. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2017.
Erikson, Thomas. Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behaviour (or, How to Understand Those Who Cannot Be Understood). Random House, 2019.
The workplace communications crisis. (2022). Axios. https://www.axioshq.com/research/comms-report-2022?utm_campaign=comms-report-2022&utm_source=pr summit&utm_medium=email&utm_content=comms-report-2022
