Is It Time To Brush Up Those Communication Skills?
By Leanne Crain
One of the most important skills that any leader can possess is the ability to be an effective communicator. If you think about your typical day, chances are you spend approximately 80% of your time communicating with others. With that much time devoted to communication, it's a great idea to start off your new year by doing a quick assessment of your skills.
Anyone can be a great communicator, it is not a talent that people are born with, it is one that they learn. Even if you think you are already excellent at communicating, it never hurts to take a few minutes and remind yourself what makes a good communicator, good.
Communication is all about connecting with people. It's about making other people feel like they matter, even if it's in a small way. You need to get your point across, but at the same time you need to make sure you are listening to the other person get their point across, and showing understanding for what they are trying to say.
Before you begin speaking to someone, make sure you have thought over what you are going to say so that you can articulate it clearly and purposefully. Be aware of more than just your words. Your actual words only count for a very small portion of what people are using to capture your message. Make sure you monitor the tone of your voice and your body language as well.
One of the major pitfalls of communicators is listening. Many people are good at talking, but they forget communication is a two-way street. Spend time listening to your team. Walk around and ask open ended questions, and sincerely listen to the responses. Don't let your mind wander when a team member is talking, tune in to what they are saying and be respectful of what they are trying to convey.
A great tool is to clarify what they are saying, and then summarize it once in a while to make sure you really do understand. If you don't grasp what they are trying to say, apologize and ask them to explain it again. When they are done, tell it back to them in your own words, emphasizing the important points, and ask them if it is correct.
Remember not to interrupt when someone else is speaking, and not to let your opinion distract you from listening to theirs. Make eye contact with them about 60% of the time, and continue to monitor your body language. Be empathetic. When it is your turn to speak, stay on topic with their subject to show them you are interested and respect what they are trying to say.
Communication is a skill that can be constantly worked on, and usually one that has consistent room for improvement. However, it is also crucial for the success of any relationship - be it a client, a team member, or personal - so certainly worth spending time perfecting!
For more ideas on leadership, please contact Gary Gzik at ggzik@bizxcel.com
Leanne Crain is a Marketing Assistant for BizXcel. Her background is marketing and tourism, and she has over 12 years experience in the sales and marketing field.
