Hello! Today, I want to talk with you about leadership and communication in the workplace. To succeed as a leader, simply giving orders is not enough. A true leader must build trust through emotional connections with their team members and deliver clear and consistent messages. So, let’s look at some key elements for effective leadership communication.
Reasons for Employee Turnover: The Importance of Communication
In the workplace, many employees face difficulties in communication with colleagues. In fact, 65.7% of employees experience communication issues with coworkers, which is a common reason for resignation. Why do so many people find communication challenging? It’s because non-verbal elements significantly impact communication.
Elements of Communication
Communication can be divided into three main elements:
- Verbal Elements (7%): Content and expression of words
- Non-verbal Elements (55%): Facial expressions, appearance, clothing, posture, etc.
- Vocal Elements (38%): Volume, intonation, speed, etc.
Among these, non-verbal elements hold the most significant weight. This means that how you deliver your message and your attitude are more important than the content itself.
Key Elements of Effective Leadership Communication
To communicate effectively as a leader, remember these four key elements:
1. Clarity and Consistency
A leader must convey their message clearly and in an easy-to-understand manner. Set clear goals and expectations, and guide the team with consistent messages to ensure everyone is aligned.
2. Importance of Listening
A leader must listen to their team members. Listening goes beyond merely hearing words; it shows respect for their opinions and willingness to consider them.
3. Building Trust
Consistent actions and honest communication are crucial for building trust. When team members can trust their leader, they are more likely to accept and follow the leader’s decisions and directions.
4. Adaptability and Flexibility
Each team member has unique personalities and communication styles. A leader must recognize this diversity and adjust their communication methods to suit each individual.
Five Practical Communication Methods
How can you apply these key elements in practice? Try these five methods:
1. Greeting
It’s very effective for a leader to initiate conversations with greetings. This creates a sense of familiarity and opens the door for communication.
2. One-on-One Conversations
Regularly have one-on-one conversations with each team member. This allows for a deeper understanding of individual concerns and opinions.
3. Performance Check Tables
Create a table for leveling factors such as teamwork, attention to detail, work performance, and communication. Discuss strengths and areas for improvement quarterly among team members.
4. Objective Feedback
Instead of saying, “Why do you do your work like this,” say, “Let’s revise this part of the work.” This approach evaluates the task, not the person, making the feedback less confrontational.
5. Central Position in Communication
When a leader sits in the center or near the entrance, it facilitates quick communication and feedback, speeding up work processes.
Conclusion
Ultimately, a good leader helps team members grow and inspires them. Becoming such a leader requires continuous effort and self-reflection. While challenging, a good leader can significantly enhance team efficiency and overall employee satisfaction.
I hope you can become a suitable leader for your company and successfully lead your team. Create a better organizational culture through strong leadership and communication skills.