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When The Leader Speaks...

Guest post by: Gregg Thompson

Article Overview: When great leaders speak, things happen! People become engaged. Teams gel. Customers are served. Problems are solved and products are invented. Such is the power of a leader’s communication. So important is communication that it is difficult to find a leadership text that does not devote a significant portion of its pages to the topic. Unfortunately, most such works present communication as simply another important leadership competency up there with project management and strategic thinking. Communication is not a leadership competency; it is your leadership. Leadership and communication are synonymous; virtually all of one’s leadership is manifest through communication. As James C. Humes wrote: “Every time you speak, you are auditioning for leadership.”

When The Leader Speaks...

When great leaders speak, things happen! People become engaged. Teams gel. Customers are served. Problems are solved and products are invented. Such is the power of a leader’s communication. So important is communication that it is difficult to find a leadership text that does not devote a significant portion of its pages to the topic. Unfortunately, most such works present communication as simply another important leadership competency up there with project management and strategic thinking. Communication is not a leadership competency; it is your leadership. Leadership and communication are synonymous; virtually all of one’s leadership is manifest through communication. As James C. Humes wrote: “Every time you speak, you are auditioning for leadership.”

We should hold leaders to a much higher standard of communication than others. Most others are measured primarily on their ability to efficiently and accurately convey information. Leaders need to do more than simply inform; they need to communicate in ways that get people (as John M. Kane once said) thinking and acting together. They need to create not just understanding, but action. In fact leaders should be judged not by their performances as communicators, but rather by the performance of those they seek to lead. Think about your own leadership. Are the people on your team or in your organization more inspired, more productive and more innovative because of what you communicate? Are you simply an efficient transmitter of information, or are others changing the way they think and act as a result of the words you choose to use?

Fortunately, great communication is an observable and learnable set of practices that are within the reach of all leaders. Leaders at all organization levels can significantly increase their communication effectiveness by adopting the three universal, powerful practices that have been employed by great leaders in organizations of all kinds. These men and women connect with their constituents on a Personal level, construct an enticing image of the Future, and create a compelling Story in which everyone has a starring role.

1. Personal. All communication is personal. For the leader, there is no such thing as communication that is strictly business. Unless the listeners decide to allow the leader’s words to touch them personally, their words simply become a part of the organizational noise that is omnipresent today. Picture your listeners with a remote control in their hands. They can shut you off at any point when you no longer are able to keep the personal connection open. Great leaders communicate to us personally. Whether they are speaking to one person or a thousand, they are able to connect with each as individuals. They recognize that others are listening through lenses shaped by their own interests and values, and they make it their job to illuminate these elements in their communication. They share their own driving passions and most exciting aspirations. They make others feel valued and uniquely important.

2. Future. Great leaders invite others to join them in pursuit of a tomorrow that is better than today. Confidence and optimism are apparent in all of their communication. Their positive, enthusiastic view of the future is obvious in everything they say, whether it is ordering office supplies or presenting corporate strategy. They are, however, not simply arm-waving cheerleaders. They view their role as one of advancing the organization along the continuum of time. They see the organization’s future as an extension of its history and current state of affairs. In their communication they honor the heroes and victories of the past, give voice to the realities of the present (both harsh and positive), and reveal and invite others to join them on the path forward.

3. Story. Leaders craft big stories for their teams and organizations not just to be entertaining or engaging. They do so because this is the only way humans can think and relate to each other. As Isak Dinesen wrote: “To be a person is to have a story to tell.” We see the world (and our jobs) through stories. It is through stories that we can connect to an organization’s mission and plans. Great leaders make these plans come alive through rich, engaging stories that capture our attention. Most importantly, they help others connect their personal stories with the organization’s story and enhance both in the process. And when they help us see our own starring role in the stories, they elicit our very best efforts.

Great leadership communication is less about the efficient transmission of information and much more about the impact it has on others. The challenging question for all who seek to lead is this: “Are the members of my team or organization more aligned, more committed and more engaged because of what I say and write?” Fortunately, great leadership communication is not the exclusive domain of a gifted, charismatic few. It is within the reach of all who care enough about others to connect with them personally, to share their most hopeful view of the future and to craft a grand story that provides a special sense of meaning and purpose.

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Article Tags: effective communication, great communication, great leaders, leadership development



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Re: My 200 post - Well GT, You done it again, The Leader and now you have 1003 post, wow. Michelle and Trent, you are a winners too. WTG friends, you are an inspiration.
Blank text field might be better - Hi TheAnonymousMan, I like your idea! I'm assuming it would be similar to the status feature on Facebook where it might say "Kevin is ... " So I think having a blank text field in the profile box (and even "Leader" boxes on the left and top side of the forums if possible) might be more fun than just choosing from pre-set options from a drop down menu:D
Re: Business Women Peer Mentoring Spotlight - Hi Everyone, Gosh, I REALLY appreciate your concrete feedback. This was far more than I expected and I'm glad you said what you thought straight out. Each of you have shared something of value and I want to take some more time to think and really go over what each of you have said. However, I can see there are some things I need to change right away. What an interesting point about a NEW program perhaps making people think they are guinea pigs! This is NOT what I want to convey! It's funny how we can see some things so clearly in others while not always seeing it for ourselves! I must admit there are a few things I've been meaning to change (like my bio which is very outdated). Obviously, these things need to be higher on my priority list. You caught me like the plumber who puts his clients first and doesn't get around to fixing his own tap! As far as my target market, I do feel quite strongly about working with Women Leaders and doing Leadership Coaching with them. It's non-negotiable in my books. In my Executive Coaching training, the terms "Leaders" and "Executives" are interchangable. To me, an Executive is a Leader and so is the Business Woman or Entrepreneur who is CEO of her own business. I love working with decision makers! What I did learn is that I need to avoid opening up the Leadership term beyond what I described above. I'm also wondering if there is a misunderstanding with the general public as to what Leadership Coaching really is. Leadership Coaching is all about developing your leadership skills, both as a people manager and in more effectively running and growing the business. There is ALWAYS room for growth in some way. As well, sometimes, we just need a sounding board to clarify what our next BEST step is. In fact, if a woman thinks she has nothing to work on, then we aren't a good Client/Coach fit anyway. How can she grow if she doesn't see the value of expressing ALL of the great ability within her? How can her company grow if she doesn't see the value of strategic planning for the next best level? Thanks again to you all! I will go back to my website and really question whether I am conveying the right message. I got more than I bargained for in this Spotlight... you generously offered way more than I was asking. I think we could be on to something great for the Forum. Now it's time to let someone else have the spotlight. It would be great if everyone took a turn! In gratitude, Tami


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