In the dynamic landscape of modern business, leadership is not merely about authority but a finely honed skill set, including the vital ability of effective communication. The ability to communicate is crucial to influencing team dynamics, boosting productivity, and is key to the overall workplace culture.

In this blog, we explore the nuances of communication skills for managers and how they intertwine with effective leadership, as well as some recommendations on how to improve these key skills. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or an aspiring manager, learn more and communication strategies and insights that can elevate your leadership power and transform your communication style into a powerful tool for organizational success.

The Importance of Communication Skills

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”. – George Bernard Shaw.

Effective and authentic business leadership heavily relies on communication skills. Unfortunately, communication skills are often taken for granted. The illusion of communication, as George Bernard Shaw noted, is a common challenge. Despite the range of communication methods, poor communication can still prevail, leading to high stress levels, project failures, and unhappy employees.

The Economist surveyed ‘Communication Barriers in the Modern Workplace’ by questioning a large group of employees. The survey found that 52% of respondents felt that poor communication was causing high levels of stress. Additionally, 44% of the employees believed that poor communication was the reason for their failure to complete projects. 

These findings suggest that a significant percentage of the workforce feels uninformed and unable to perform their job effectively due to inadequate communication from their managers.

Strategies for Effective Communication:

It is key that there is a strategy and thinking behind communication. To help best deliver a message in today’s work environment, consider the following:

Clear Communication

Communicate clearly and avoid jargon 

• It is important to keep communication clear and concise to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings. Avoid using jargon and technical terms when they are not necessary to ensure that the message is easily understood.

Use all channels, in a purposeful way

• Tailor your communication strategy to fit your audience’s needs. Use appropriate channels for immediate or thoughtful communication, such as messaging apps, phone calls, emails, or reports. Strike a balance to avoid over-communication and ensure your team receives information without feeling overwhelmed.

Knowing when to use which type of communication channel

• Effective leaders know how to choose the right communication channel for each situation. Timing and appropriateness matter, whether it’s a quick message or a team meeting. Diversify your approach, get feedback, and adjust as needed.

Active Listening

Actively listening to team members will help to understand their perspectives and concerns. It also allows you to demonstrate empathy and show that you value their input and ideas. Asking questions, again, demonstrates that you are listening, and valuing their point of view and helps to build further understanding.

Feedback and Recognition

According to Culture Monkey, effective feedback can help lower employee turnover rates by 14.9%. Constructive, balanced feedback helps employees improve by addressing both strengths and areas in need of improvement. Likewise, by recognizing and appreciating good performance it can motivate employees and boost morale.

Non-Verbal Communication

Be aware of both your own and the employee’s non-verbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. For managers, ensure these non-verbal elements align with the intended purpose and message of the conversation. Meanwhile, pay attention to the non-verbal signals of the team members to help keep a conversation on track. 

This is crucial for difficult conversations in the workplace, such as disciplinary actions or redundancies, where emotions can run high. By controlling your cues, it can help steer the conversation in the right direction.

Take a look at our training course on Difficult Conversations.

Adaptability

Leaders need to be able to adapt their communication style to suit the needs of the different team members. Additionally, this needs to be flexible and adjusted to the purpose and situation of the communication. Likewise, consider the best methods of communication to reflect modern working, such as remote and hybrid team members.

Adaptability goes further than just thinking whether an individual prefers written or verbal communication (though this is important!). Elements such as cultural differences or adaptations for disabilities need to be considered to ensure communication is accessible and inclusive.

Visionary Communication

Employees need to have a clear understanding of the vision and goals of their team or organization. This understanding should be communicated directly by the leaders, as it can help to inspire and motivate teams. Additionally, by having a shared understanding of goals, it becomes easier to align everyone toward a common purpose. A positive corporate culture starts with leaders who communicate inclusively and constructively.

Methods to Improve Communication Skills

Measure levels of understanding and response

Effective communication involves ensuring comprehension and action. Use surveys, feedback sessions, and KPIs to gauge understanding and refine your strategy. This helps your messages contribute to a positive team culture and align with organizational goals.

Gather Business Intelligence

Multi-way communication is vital for a transparent culture and facilitates dialogue, idea-sharing, and problem-solving. It promotes feedback and active participation at all levels, leading to better understanding, teamwork, and innovation.

Use multi-channel communication

Multi-way communication, also known as two-way or interactive communication,  is the interactive exchange of information, ideas, and feedback between multiple parties. Unlike one-way communication, multi-way communication is dynamic and interactive. 

In a multi-way communication model:

• Upwards Communication:
  • Information flows from lower levels of an organization to higher levels. This includes feedback, suggestions, and reports from employees to managers or executives.
• Downwards Communication:
  • Information flows from higher levels of an organization to lower levels. This includes directives, goals, and feedback from managers or executives to employees.
• Horizontal or Lateral Communication:
  • Information is exchanged between individuals or units at the same hierarchical level within the organization. This type of communication fosters collaboration and coordination among team members.
• Diagonal Communication:
  • Information travels across different departments or levels that are not directly connected in the organizational hierarchy. This form of communication helps break down silos and ensures that relevant information reaches all necessary parties.

Invest in Communication Skills Training

Good communication is essential for any leader. Like any other skill, it requires training and practice to improve. Having strong communication skills can make a huge difference in delivering meaningful, clear, and motivational messages. Experience and confidence also play a crucial role in this.

VirtualSpeech has a variety of training courses available. The “Communicating as a Leader” learning pathway is an excellent starting point to begin improving your communication skills.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of leadership through effective communication is an ongoing journey. By embracing these strategies and continuously refining your communication skills, you can inspire, motivate, and lead teams toward success. 

Remember to focus on clear communication, pay attention to non-verbal cues, and active listening and you’ll be on your way to having an impactful and meaningful communication culture.