Leadership and effective communication go hand in hand. In other words, for a leader to have influence, he or she must be able to communicate the message effectively. Good communication enhances influence. All great leaders in history, from political leaders to army generals to business leaders and sports team coaches have this one trait in common; all were and are excellent communicators.
John Maxwell says it best with the title of his book entitled ‘Everybody Communicates, Few Connect’. As always, there are people who seem to have a natural ability for communication, and to whom people are attracted. But this a gift, and if it is not developed, it will not be used effectively, or may be misused, or even abused. The beautiful reality is that connecting is a choice and can be learned. Even introverts can become effective communicators if they intentionally choose to.
The first (open) secret to connecting is to realise that this is not about me. People are naturally drawn to communicators who put others first, whether it be in a one-on-one conversation, with team members, or with an audience. Most people consciously or sub-consciously notice when a speaker is not focused on them or seems to make little or no attempt at connecting. People read body language, personal presentation, facial expressions and tone of voice before digesting the content of the conversation or message. The speaker needs to make the other party feel like he understands what the listener is feeling, or the problem being faced, or the desired objective.
The first thing people ask themselves is whether they will benefit by listening to the speaker, and whether the speaker in on their side. So, it is imperative for the speaker to come across as authentic and genuinely interested in imparting knowledge or know-how. One of the key components of this authenticity is humbleness, which can be summarised as follows:
‘Leadership and effective communication go hand in hand. In other words, for a leader to have influence, he or she must be able to communicate the message effectively. Good communication enhances influence. All great leaders in history, from political leaders to army generals to business leaders and sports team coaches have this one trait in common; all were and are excellent communicators.
John Maxwell says it best with the title of his book entitled ‘Everybody Communicates, Few Connect’. As always, there are people who seem to have a natural ability for communication, and to whom people are attracted. But this a gift, and if it is not developed, it will not be used effectively, or may be misused, or even abused. The beautiful reality is that connecting is a choice and can be learned. Even introverts can become effective communicators if they intentionally choose to.
The first (open) secret to connecting is to realise that this is not about me. People are naturally drawn to communicators who put others first, whether it be in a one-on-one conversation, with team members, or with an audience. Most people consciously or sub-consciously notice when a speaker is not focused on them or seems to make little or no attempt at connecting. People read body language, personal presentation, facial expressions and tone of voice before digesting the content of the conversation or message. The speaker needs to make the other party feel like he understands what the listener is feeling, or the problem being faced, or the desired objective.
The first thing people ask themselves is whether they will benefit by listening to the speaker, and whether the speaker in on their side. So, it is imperative for the speaker to come across as authentic and genuinely interested in imparting knowledge or know-how. One of the key components of this authenticity is humbleness, which can be summarised as follows:
‘Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less’, and thus considering the needs of others in fulfilling a worthy cause. Humility gets people’s attention. When we admit our mistakes, that we are not perfect, but rather works in progress, we bring humanity to the message. Everyone has been humbled by life at one time or another, and we all have this as a common connecting point. People stop relating when the messenger (speaker) comes across as too good to be true, because everybody knows that perfection is a mask. Everyone experiences highs and lows, peaks and troughs. Although we occasionally have ‘mountain-top’ times, we live mostly in the valley, with everyday problems and cares, surrounded by other imperfect people. Keeping it real and genuine contributes hugely to authenticity.
John Maxwell says that for the message to be relevant, we need to touch the heart, and I quote:
“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care”.
Naturally there are many other components to being authentic. I will touch on a few of them, not necessarily in order of importance.
Preparation is vital. Know your listeners. When getting ready to address a group, try to meet some of them beforehand; try to ascertain what they are hoping to hear.
Express gratitude for the listeners’ time, for being given the opportunity to speak, or to lead, and for being trusted that the listeners will gain from being there.
Be confident. Know your stuff. Speak from personal experience. Nothing is more authentic and convincing than personal experience. For example, when I speak about the treatment and recovery from stage four cancer, I speak with conviction because I have lived it. I can speak about the physical trauma, the emotional roller coaster, the spiritual journey, the aftereffects, and the glorious recovery with absolute conviction, because I have been there.
Every listener wants to hear a message of hope, to be motivated by a story and a vision, and feel able to achieve more. My personal mission through the leadership, growth and communication programs is to be an agent of hope, because wherever you are in your life, it is never too late.
I can speak with passion about several subjects because I have had personal experience of highs and lows personally and in business, from which I have recovered. If you are reading this, it means that your story is still being written and that nothing is off the table. Give yourself room to imagine.
Jim Rohn says: “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight”.
Carl Bard says: “Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending”.
Despite the uncertainty of life, it remains full of possibilities, and it is a leader’s role to ignite his team with shared vision and values, remembering that the primary objective is to add value to others.
There is a quote in the Old Testament that says: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that they may run who read it…Though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come”.
Steve Jobs says: “Management is about persuading people to do what they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could”.
In short, connectors create motivation, which leads to inspiration, which in turn leads to enthusiasm and optimism, and finally to action.
In closing, it is much easier to communicate effectively when we are authentic and speak with credibility because we live the message. How we view ourselves and how we talk to ourselves is all part of it. I challenge you to ask yourself with as much honesty as you can muster whether your closest and dearest respect and love you. Take action where necessary.
If you have been inspired by this short article and have come to the realisation that your leadership as well as life in general will improve with better communication, please consider responding by clicking on the ‘Programs’ tab to find out more and be in touch. I would be delighted to expand on the options.
www.acceleratedgrowth.co.za is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less’, and thus considering the needs of others in fulfilling a worthy cause. Humility gets people’s attention. When we admit our mistakes, that we are not perfect, but rather works in progress, we bring humanity to the message. Everyone has been humbled by life at one time or another, and we all have this as a common connecting point. People stop relating when the messenger (speaker) comes across as too good to be true, because everybody knows that perfection is a mask. Everyone experiences highs and lows, peaks and troughs. Although we occasionally have ‘mountain-top’ times, we live mostly in the valley, with everyday problems and cares, surrounded by other imperfect people. Keeping it real and genuine contributes hugely to authenticity.
John Maxwell says that for the message to be relevant, we need to touch the heart, and I quote:
“Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care”.
Naturally there are many other components to being authentic. I will touch on a few of them, not necessarily in order of importance.
Preparation is vital. Know your listeners. When getting ready to address a group, try to meet some of them beforehand; try to ascertain what they are hoping to hear.
Express gratitude for the listeners’ time, for being given the opportunity to speak, or to lead, and for being trusted that the listeners will gain from being there.
Be confident. Know your stuff. Speak from personal experience. Nothing is more authentic and convincing than personal experience. For example, when I speak about the treatment and recovery from stage four cancer, I speak with conviction because I have lived it. I can speak about the physical trauma, the emotional roller coaster, the spiritual journey, the aftereffects, and the glorious recovery with absolute conviction, because I have been there.
Every listener wants to hear a message of hope, to be motivated by a story and a vision, and feel able to achieve more. My personal mission through the leadership, growth and communication programs is to be an agent of hope, because wherever you are in your life, it is never too late.
I can speak with passion about several subjects because I have had personal experience of highs and lows personally and in business, from which I have recovered. If you are reading this, it means that your story is still being written and that nothing is off the table. Give yourself room to imagine.
Jim Rohn says: “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight”.
Carl Bard says: “Although no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending”.
Despite the uncertainty of life, it remains full of possibilities, and it is a leader’s role to ignite his team with shared vision and values, remembering that the primary objective is to add value to others.
There is a quote in the Old Testament that says: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that they may run who read it…Though it tarries, wait for it, because it will surely come”.
Steve Jobs says: “Management is about persuading people to do what they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could”.
In short, connectors create motivation, which leads to inspiration, which in turn leads to enthusiasm and optimism, and finally to action.
In closing, it is much easier to communicate effectively when we are authentic and speak with credibility because we live the message. How we view ourselves and how we talk to ourselves is all part of it. I challenge you to ask yourself with as much honesty as you can muster whether your closest and dearest respect and love you. Take action where necessary.
If you have been inspired by this short article and have come to the realisation that your leadership as well as life in general will improve with better communication, please consider responding by clicking on the ‘Programs’ tab to find out more and be in touch. I would be delighted to expand on the options.
