Communication = Leadership
Wait, what?
Yes, my friends. How do people assess your ability as a leader? They look at your communication abilities — your verbals, your non-verbals and use those clues to determine how they see you as a leader.
Let’s think about this for a minute.
How do you connect with team members? How do you provide guidance and direction on a project? How do you teach team members how you expect them to carry themselves and interact with others in the workplace?
If you’re not taking the time to think about or reflect on your verbal and non-verbal communication behaviors, your success as a leader is likely to be short-lived.
Don’t believe me? Let’s do a little experiment. For the next day, I’d like you to try to practice active listening. Ha! I listen all of the time, you say. Umm…but do you?
Active listening means asking questions, making eye contact, and paraphrasing. It also means using open body language, where you face your conversational partner, arms to your side, and feet and hips angled toward them.
Sounds easy. Takes a little practice. Pays off in dividends.
P.S. Romantic partners, kiddos, friends, and family members also really enjoy when you practice active listening with them — not just your peers and employees.
Interested in learning more? Check out The Communicative Leader podcast. In the first two episodes we unpack how a focus on leadership communication can make your work life what you want it to be and how that in turn, my friends, makes your life easier.
Until next time, communicate with purpose and
lead with intention.
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