Leadership Communication Leadership Doesn\'t Just

Leadership Communication

Leadership doesn't just depend on communication; leadership is communication. The essence of leadership is transmitting knowledge, information, ideas, and emotions to others. Any leader in the workforce, no matter what industry or department, must practice effective communication skills. Communication is "exchange and flow," meaning that leaders need to develop listening skills as sound as their speaking skills. Effective communication prevents and resolves conflict by bringing underlying concerns to the surface and nipping problems in the bud. Communication also helps coworkers work together harmoniously and therefore increases productivity immensely. Leaders communicate not just with language but also with their behaviors. Therefore, leaders must continually set an example of ethical behavior and ethical verbal communication for all members of the organization.

Strategies of communication range from those that transmit knowledge and power to those that promote camaraderie and creativity. The best way to maximize communication skills is to first understand the needs of the organization: its mission, its philosophy, and its goals. Second, leaders need to adapt their communications skills to serve the needs of the specific team and project. Third, leaders can practice effective communication by drawing upon simple truths including honesty, openness, and good listening skills.

Effective communication breeds productivity and increases organizational health. Blalock (2006) notes that effective communication is essential for a company's fiscal health. Miscommunication, on the other hand, creates costly conflict in any organization. Effective communication helps leaders solve problems quickly by drawing on the knowledge and insight of all members of the team. Being a good communicator benefits a leader's organization by improving productivity and workplace morale.

The Benefits of Being an Effective Communicator

Leaders benefit by being effective communicator in the following ways. First, they set an example and help other members of the team or organization to communicate more effectively too. Thus, leaders who communicate effectively increase morale among team members and create a more harmonious workplace environment. Second, being an effective communicator increases productivity in the workplace by minimizing costly conflict and confusion. Finally, good communications skills means leaders can represent their organization effectively to outside parties including clients, stakeholders, the public, and the media.

Leaders act as trendsetters in their organization, and their behavior and communication style is a model for coworkers. Communication is not just about words but also about body language, eye contact, and composure. Therefore, leaders benefit the future of the organization by introducing the importance of communication in fostering a healthy workplace environment.

Especially in a diverse workplace environment, leaders must mediate conflicts that arose because of miscommunications. Cultural differences and gender differences, as well as other issues related to individuals' backgrounds all affect communication styles. Leaders are responsible for understanding a diversity of communication styles so that each member of the organization is able to communicate effectively. The leader therefore becomes the role model for the rest of the team. If necessary, leaders can hold informal seminars with a group to introduce core concepts of communication, foster amicable relations among coworkers, and minimize confusion.

One of the roles of a leader in any team or organization is to ensure the free flow of ideas and information. Any information coming from outside of the organization needs to be expressed in ways meaningful to members of the group. Likewise, any information coming from supervisors or other departments must be expressed effectively and without wasting time. Leaders are responsible for translating information to a team, sometimes condensing facts and sometimes expanding upon them. An effective communicator weeds out extraneous data to save time, and clarifies issues that might be unclear to group members.

More importantly, an effective leader is aware of any misgivings, concerns, or confusion that arises among group members. Listening skills are a core component of communication skills in general. Leaders must encourage the quietest of group members to voice concerns, and must gauge the group's progress based on keen observation of body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Communication therefore depends on both observation and active listening. Listening to others and observing behavior enables the leader to effectively manage a diverse group of individuals. When individuals feel honored and respected, they are more likely to take pride in their work and be as productive as possible.

Communication benefits leaders and their organizations by cutting costs. Miscommunication is at the root of interpersonal conflict, which can lead to absenteeism or a lack of productivity. Also, miscommunication can mean costly lawsuits or imbroglios with clients. Leaders often mediate problems within an organization and between the organization and third parties. Mediation depends on effective communication. When a team leader evaluates the actual time spent engaged in communication activities, he or she appreciates the need for effective communication. As Blalock (2006) notes, communication is "crucial" in the modern organization because as much as 80% of a manager's time may be spent in some form of verbal or written communication.

The global marketplace introduces complex issues that make communication skills absolutely essential for leaders to have. Gender, culture, and language add nuances to business practices, the workplace environment, and to interpersonal relations. Companies with offices in numerous countries will need to hire leaders with stellar communication skills to navigate through these tricky issues.

For example, leaders can benefit their organizations by learning about gender, culture, and language differences. Applying that knowledge to the workplace means that leaders may need to adopt a different style of dress or use a different method of greeting. Developing a repertoire of effective communications skills means solidifying relationships with coworkers in different countries. Adapting to different cultures is a sign of respect and can improve the reputation of an organization abroad. When doing business in a foreign market, leaders will need to learn about local laws, customs, and business practices too. The best communicators will be the most effective in brokering deals and avoiding misunderstandings.

Effective communication also helps leaders develop strong relationships with parties outside of the organization. Addressing stakeholders, the general public, clients, and suppliers requires effective communication skills. In the global marketplace such issues become even more dependent on communication because leaders must also learn about cross-cultural differences in business practices, legal issues, and communication styles. Effective communication helps leaders avoid making costly legal errors and can boost an organization's market share in any region.