Mastering leadership communication skills is essential whether you are striving to improve your own communication skills as an executive coach or working with your client to help them learn effective leadership communication skills.
Business executives are always communicating. It may be verbal, written, or even a lack of communication – silence is as powerful as words. If a leader is a poor communicator, the effects will be company-wide.
Many leaders don’t make the vital connection between communication and factors such as employee morale and cohesiveness.
What is Effective Leadership Communication?
Mastering leadership communication isn’t about learning a specific communication method or saying specific things. It’s about sensing how to communicate based on the situation and the person or people you are communicating with.
Effective leadership communication strategies involve becoming adept at adapting your communication style to the situation. Effective leaders have the power to translate problems, visions, and strategies into easy-to-understand, motivational, and encouraging messages.
Executive coaches work with client leadership to identify strengths and weaknesses in their communication styles. The coach can then address weaknesses and help their client develop an authentic communication style that positively impacts employee and team engagement and productivity.
Why is Mastering Leadership Communication Important?
Executive coaches may encounter executives who don’t see good communication as a necessary skill. They consider running the company their top priority and want their management team to handle communication with employees.
Not only is this detrimental to the employees, but it is a missed opportunity to elevate company performance.
Using effective leadership communication strategies can have the following effects:
- Models Communication Expectations
A leader’s communication with individuals, teams, and stakeholders is the bedrock of the company’s culture and drive. Employees who are on the receiving end of good communication will learn to do the same. - Creates Stronger Relationships
Modeling authentic and genuine communication will “trickle down” the company layers. When employees have leaders that prioritize good communication, inter-employee communication will improve as a result, and stronger relationships are built between employees and teams. - Increases Employee Engagement
When employees have a clear vision of company goals and understand their role in specific company projects, they will be much more engaged in their role and in the company as a whole. - Helps the Company Reach Its Goals
Effective communication will ensure that everyone is moving towards the same goal and help them achieve goals efficiently and effectively. - Establishes Trust and Transparency
When a leader communicates – effectively communicates – with their employees, it establishes an environment of trust. Employees feel included and listened to. When employees know their leadership is communicating timely and accurate information, they are more confident in following leadership direction. - Helps Keep Calm and Focus in Difficult Times
When a company is going through a tough time, effective leadership communication reassures employees and motivates teams to focus on well-communicated solutions that address the issue.
The Importance of Mastering Leadership Communication in Remote Work Environments
Remote work situations present a new twist for effective communication. Remote workplaces don’t have the advantage of everyday face-to-face interactions in which management can connect with employees and engage in conversation.
Company leadership needs to schedule consistent meetings with their leadership team, not only to communicate information about company goals and projects but to make sure they are aware of any issues so they are dealt with quickly before the issues mushroom into major problems.
Leadership needs to communicate intentionally and give employees opportunities to share negative feedback, and openly discuss possible solutions to difficult situations.
Finally, be sure to communicate company goal progress and promote virtual communication between teams to ensure your teams are on track and on the same page.
Focusing on Effective Leadership Communication Strategies
If you or your client want to master leadership communication, you will enjoy next month’s article about the specific components of effective leadership communication.
Until then, read these articles addressing two more important components of good leadership:
How to Build Confidence in Your Team
Breaking Bad Habits: A Critical Coaching Skill Every Executive Coach Should Know
Are you committed to improving communication with your leadership team, but struggling to find the time to do it?
Robin Kramer is an Online Business Manager that has been working with small businesses for 23 years. She can help you analyze your overwhelming to-do list to identify what tasks need your executive expertise, and which ones she can manage for you to free your valuable time.
To learn more about Robin’s skills and how she could help your business, contact her for a free consultation today.
