In today’s fast-pace business environment the most important quality for someone who wants to become a business leader is having the ability to communicate.
The leader who can’t communicate can’t create the conditions that motivate, and the genius who can’t communicate is intellectually impotent. The organization that can’t communicate can’t change, and the organization that can’t change is dead.
We all want to be heard. It’s gratifying, empowering, and makes us feel valued. And in a difference of opinion, we want our side to be represented. We want others to get who we are and to hear our valid arguments, even if they don’t agree with us, though of course, we’d like that as well.
As a writer it is similar to a manager’s personal style of how good he or she is at exchanging information which contributes more to a department’s efficiency than the results of any structured or organizational brilliance. The emphasis is that communication is the most basic and crucial leadership skill.
One person that understands the most successful businesspersons in the world is Warren Buffett. He maintains, “If you improve your communication skills, I will guarantee you that you'll earn 10% to 50% more money over your lifetime.” Money isn’t everything, but it helps!
It’s best to not confuse by using big words or technical jargon to sound more intelligent. The opposite is often true, so rather than impressing people with your fancy speech, you run the risk of confusing others by putting the emphasis on the language instead of the message. The central ideas get lost. Fancy language does not equate with clarity.
If you want to get your point across, don’t make getting your point across the goal. Make understanding the goal. When you try to understand your conflict partner’s view, you create an opening for him to do the same. The door swings toward you as you receive his energy, beliefs, and vision, and benefit from a peek at an alternate reality.
You are able to see both views simultaneously while you reflect on how differently this person perceives the world from his side of the door. By giving way to get your way and giving someone the freedom to deliver his or her message is a gift and a model. You’re not saying you agree with the message; you’re saying you’re willing to entertain an alternative view to facilitate solving the problem.
Sensing a receptive audience, the speaker relaxes. His energy and ideas have an outlet. His need for you to understand him is less critical than your willingness to try.
It is nearly impossible to succeed in business, or in life, without developing good communication skills. From time to time, it’s important to re-evaluate your performance in these fundamental areas: speaking, listening, writing, leading meetings and resolving conflict.
When speaking, ask if there are questions about what you just said. Ask if it was clear or say, “Does that make sense?” Invite your audience to restate what you said and listen to their perception of your message. If you hear something other than what you thought you said, use other words.
Listening involves so much more than hearing the words the other person says. Watch for signals, ask for clarification if needed, and repeat or rephrase their message if in doubt.
Leading meetings requires organization and discipline. Prepare an agenda so you can keep on topic and not waste time. A final recap is a good reminder of any decisions or actions that need to be accomplished.
Additionally, resolving conflict often requires combining all the above communication skills. Effective communication is a necessity for all walks of life. Getting writing tips could be the answer.
Lastly, but not least writing should be short, clear, and concise!
Take care!
Prof. Carl Boniface
Vocabulary builder:
Fast-pace (adj) = moving, changing or happening very quickly, accelerating, expedited, expeditious, high-speed, precipitous, prompt, speedy, swift, fast-tracked
Empowering (v) = gerund form of the verb to empower which means inspiring, encouraging, energizing, authorizing, enabling, endowing, allowing, permitting, (ant) forbidding
short, clear, and concise = Writing clearly and concisely means choosing your words deliberately and precisely, constructing your sentences carefully to eliminate deadwood, and using grammar properly. By writing clearly and concisely, you will get straight to your point in a way your audience can easily comprehend.