Laying the Foundation of Effective Communication as a Leader

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”

- Anthony Robbins

Whether you are a leader at a multinational corporation, an upcoming manager or a co-founder growing a promising startup - you need to be a good communicator to achieve success. Effective communication will not only help you solve conflicts at the workplace but also make your personal life more rewarding.

Quintessentially, effective communication translates into a better connection between you and your audience. It means that your intended message has been received by them. If the communication is done well then it would forge better collaborations, improve your relationships, bridge the gap between your teams, create trust and bring you success.

Often, in our professional and personal lives, we assume that we have been understood and heard and there is no room for confusion. However, as Anthony Robbins so brilliantly shared, we need to understand that everyone perceives a particular situation, challenge or a brief in a different way. Hence, if you wish to make a difference at work or at home, you will need to walk the extra mile to streamline communication.

To assist you with the same, here's a ready reckoner which will help you create an effective communication strategy and implement it with ease:

Make it Clear

One of the most important touchstones of effective communication is knowing what you want and taking ownership of it. Before you communicate, ensure to understand your needs and what exactly you need from the other end. Ensure to live through the challenge in your mind and then communicate. For instance, if a colleague is putting you down or your team is not meeting deadlines then you first need to know how it is making you feel and then take the first step toward a tough conversation.

Never allow your emotions to cloud your communication. Keep your communication direct and transparent to make it effective.

Keep it Simple

Be it verbal or written, your communication must be concise. Your requests and orders should be direct and clear. Do not get lost in stories or jargon. They will just create more confusion for you and the other person. If you want to let your communication fetch some substantial result then keep it as simple as possible.

Be Empathetic

Constantly work on your empathy to better understand the other person. Listen more and talk less. Put your biases, assumptions and judgements aside. Remember, when the other person believes that you are hearing them then they will naturally open up and feel secure to talk with you. If you wish to grow in your career then you must start empathetically recognizing and appreciating the way your colleagues, your teams or your co-founder are feeling. Most of the time, you and the other person or party would want the best outcomes, a little empathy from your side will make that journey more gratifying.

Always Remain Curious

As a child, we were taught to think about others. As adults, we must keep building on that important life lesson. When you are making a request or asking for help, try to understand the opinions of the other person. Listen to their objectives, challenges and requirements for assisting you. Make an effort to know where the other person is coming from and never think that it is all about you.

Cultivate Thoughtfulness

Imagine yourself in a crucial negotiation or an important hiring round and think like the other person. You would not like being shut down or not being allowed to explain yourself, right? That's why being thoughtful is one of the most necessary traits of an effective communicator. Involve your team, your manager and your family in important conversations at work or home. Collectively, thoughtfulness will make your communication more fructifying.

Effective communication is one of the most important skills to work upon and develop. It helps you in every sphere of life. Do keep the aforementioned effective communication principles in mind to positively influence, communicate well and make a difference at your workplace or your home.