Why Is Communication Important in Leadership?
As leaders navigate the complex landscape of the modern workplace, communication is not just a tool, it’s a cornerstone. Yet, many leaders are unsure about what makes communication, whether written, spoken, or visual, effective in a successful organization.
Kristen Getchell, associate professor of business communications at Babson College, shares the key reasons why communication is important in leadership and how leaders can ensure their communication skills are relevant and impactful.
Communication is important in leadership because it unifies teams around a shared purpose. Effective leaders inspire and motivate their teams by clearly detailing their vision and the path to achieve it. Effective communication creates a sense of belonging and purpose, making each team member feel valued and integral to the collective success.
“The best leaders are able to help people see the future and make that future concrete,” Getchell said. “They also help people understand how the team will reach that future, and why each team member’s role is so important.”
Getchell, who also co-authored Business Communication: A Problem-Solving Approach, added that effective communication fosters collaboration while maintaining the human touch in an increasingly digital world. By prioritizing clear, intentional, and empathetic communication, leaders can build stronger, more resilient teams and drive their organizations toward success.
So, how can entrepreneurial leaders improve their communication skills and ensure they are delivering a clear, trusted message that will motivate their audience? Getchell detailed some qualities of good communication:
–Active Listening: A good communicator listens attentively, not just to words but also to non-verbal cues and context. Active listening involves understanding not just what is being said, but how it’s being said, and considering the broader context of the conversation.
–Clarity: Communicating with clarity and precision ensures messages are understood without ambiguity. Effective communicators avoid jargon and are specific in their language, ensuring that their messages are easily understood.
–Integrity: Consistent and honest communication builds credibility and trust over time. Effective leaders ensure their words match their actions, reinforcing their message and maintaining integrity.
–Empathy: Empathy allows communicators to connect with others on an emotional level, fostering trust and understanding. By understanding and addressing the emotions of others, communicative leaders create a collaborative environment and encourage a culture of open and honest dialogue.
–Adaptability: Being adaptable in communication allows for effective interaction across different platforms and situations. Good leaders are open to constructive feedback and adjust their communication style based on the audience and context, whether in person, virtually, or in hybrid settings.
Inspiring and Motivating: The ability to inspire and motivate through communication helps to galvanize teams and drive action. Effective communicators convey a compelling vision and motivate others to engage and take action toward shared goals.-
Prioritize the Audience
Getchell stresses that effective communication starts with prioritizing the audience’s needs. Leaders often communicate with the intent of achieving specific outcomes, whether it’s to build positive professional relationships or persuade others to take action.
In a professional setting, especially in today’s virtual environments, communication must be clear, concise, and tailored to the audience’s needs to be effective.
The challenge, according to Getchell, is that we are often too focused on our own needs rather than on the needs of the audience. Effective communicators, therefore, are those who can prioritize their audience and tailor their message to be compelling and relevant.
“The best communicators understand what they’re up against in terms of fleeting attention spans. That’s why good communicators know that people really need to understand the ‘why,’ ” Getchell said. “People want to know why they need to do something.”
Intentional Communication for Enhanced Productivity
When it comes to enhancing productivity, Getchell points out that communication plays a vital role in setting clear expectations and defining what productivity looks like. Leaders must articulate specific outcomes and provide the necessary resources and support to achieve them. Vague notions of productivity can lead to confusion and misalignment, so it’s essential for leaders to be precise and clear in their communication.
Getchell notes that effective entrepreneurial leaders use communication to translate broad goals into actionable tasks and measurable outcomes. By defining key performance indicators and metrics, leaders can ensure that their teams understand what is expected and how their efforts contribute to the organization’s success.
Building Trust Through Transparency
Whether trying to boost their team’s visibility or motivate their own employees, leaders need the audience’s trust to ensure their communication is effective. To build that trust, transparency and integrity in leadership is crucial. Without it, teams can feel disconnected from the decision-making process, leading to a lack of engagement and trust.
“That doesn’t mean involving everyone all the time on everything, but it does mean making sure that people understand how decisions are made so that they have a sense of trust and belief in those decisions,” Getchell said.
“The best leaders are able to help people see the future and make that future concrete.” Kristen Getchell, associate professor of business communications
Getchell explains that good leaders openly communicate about their successes and failures, which demonstrates transparency and encourages a culture where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a setback.
Leaders who admit their shortcomings and are open about their development areas set a precedent for their teams to do the same, thereby fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
Encouraging Collaboration Through Communication
In today’s diverse work environments, encouraging collaboration is a key aspect of effective leadership. Collaboration is not just about working together but about ensuring that all team members feel engaged and valued.
To encourage collaboration, it’s important to model collaborative behavior. People put more effort into a job when their leader is in the game with them instead of standing on the sidelines.
Active Listening: More Than Words
Getchell adds a deeper dimension to the concept of active listening, explaining that it goes beyond hearing and absorbing the words spoken. Active listening involves paying attention to nonverbal cues, context, and the broader environment.
For instance, noticing a cluttered desk or a half-eaten lunch can provide insights into a person’s current state of mind, which is crucial for understanding and responding effectively. This holistic approach to listening helps leaders gain a comprehensive understanding of their team members and fosters a more empathetic and effective communication style.
Understanding the Modern Communication Landscape
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, attention spans are shorter, and people are busier than ever. Getchell points out that effective communication now requires an understanding of these new realities. Leaders must recognize that people do not read or engage with information the same way they did in the past. Messages must be crafted to be skimmable, concise, and clear, ensuring that key points are not lost in a sea of information.
Want to learn why leadership is crucial to success? Read about why leadership is important on Babson Thought & Action.
Moreover, leaders must adapt their communication strategies to meet the demands of different channels and settings. For example, an email may require a different tone and level of detail compared to a virtual meeting. Understanding these nuances and selecting the appropriate communication method is key to effective leadership communication skills.
However, Getchell cautions against relying too heavily on technology to replace human communication. To build trust and foster productivity, leaders must focus on developing their own skills in reading emotions, understanding context, and fostering genuine connections within their teams. Only then can leaders remain connected to their audience and practice effective communication.
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