The development of excellent communication skills is of the utmost importance to being an effective leader. The ability to share information in such a way that others realize and understand its importance and to do so with enthusiasm is paramount to accomplishing goals. Gilbert Amelio, President of National Semiconductor Corp says it best “If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter.” There have been many great “communicators” throughout history but one who really comes forward, at least in my lifetime, was Ronald Reagan. He has gone down in History as being called the “Great Communicator”.  He had an uncommon ability to connect and communicate and he did this with maximum effectiveness.

Connection and communication are so very important in the Big Picture of Leadership. The ability to state your clear vision, make decisions and be able to effectively delegate cannot be stressed enough. Those you communicate with need to be able to know who you are, what you stand for and what results you are looking to achieve. In fact, clear and concise communication will be a major contributing factor in helping you to be the person that others want to follow. After all, I did start this essay out referring to you as an effective Leader. Even if your goals are not to be a President or other world leader, your ability to communicate can and will have direct effect on your marriage or relationship, job and other relationships. People will not follow you if they don’t know what you want or where you are going!

So let’s give you a few hints on how you can be a more effective communicator.

1. Keep it Simple – Your message is not just about what you say but also about how you say it. I marvel sometimes as to how some people try to overwhelm us with the biggest words that they have learned. I am glad that they know the words but for the rest of us we may still be trying to figure out what they said. So, keep it simple. If you truly want to connect with people, keep it simple.

2. Know your audience. Know who they are. Anticipate what their questions may be. Know what needs to be accomplished and how much time will be allotted.  Communicate as if you are truly a part of the audience.

3. Have Credibility. If you don’t believe in what you are saying, neither will the rest of us! You must speak with conviction and live what you say. If you do this, your ability to lead others will jump to new levels.

4. Ensure you receive a response and action. You are not communicating for the sake of dumping a whole bunch of info on us. You want people to not just hear you but rather feel what you are saying, giving them something to remember and most importantly something for them to do.

You are the Leader. You are there to get others to do and to get things done. You are there to inspire, motivate, guide, direct and most important, to listen. Yes, to listen (to them). No matter how great your vision and your intentions, if you do not learn to communicate and connect, you will find the road long and tough ahead.

My call to action for you this day is to take a step back and note how many times you have communicated of late but most importantly to note how many times you actually connected to those you communicated with.

Contact me today at [email protected] and find out how you can be part of either a MasterMind Group or Lunch and Learn on “Everyone Communicates. Few Connect”. You won’t be sorry. Peace. BB