THE LEADER’S SHIP
“Daring leaders say the unsaid, unsurface what’s been pushed down, and bring to light the stuff that’s in the shadows and in the corners.” ~Brene Brown, Dare to Lead~
But how do they do it? By learning to communicate openly, honestly, and vulnerably. They ask the hard questions, have the hard conversations, and aren’t afraid to get uncomfortable, in order to help others succeed.
Anyone who has been in a leadership role can tell you that communication is one of the top skills of a good leader. I completely agree, however, too often, even the best leaders lack the skills necessary to communicate effectively.
When tasked with a leadership role, there are usually many responsibilities that are lined out for us. Communication isn’t always in the job description, but it should be. As a leader, you must be able and willing to have the necessary conversations to make your teams and, as a result, your organization stronger.
Being a leader is a monumental task. Whether you are leading entire organizations, small teams, or just one other person, the responsibility you have is immeasurable. There are so many things to remember, keep track of, and anticipate, you have to be on your game all of the time.
The problem is that there is generally no formal training on how to be a leader of people. Sure, you usually get trained on how to do the job, but there is usually no in-depth training on how to truly lead people, to understand them, and to communicate with them.
To help with that, here are 3 duties of a leader to help you get started:
1. Be the leader you would follow – Communicate clearly so you can be understood with little effort. Meet people where they are and build from there. Praise your people when they deserve it and do so loudly. Scold when necessary but do so quietly. Speak from a place of encouragement so that people want to talk to you, so they will look up to you, and respect you. Be genuinely interested in your people and tell them often that they are appreciated. Remember, a person who feels appreciated, will always do more than is expected.
2. Be approachable – A good leader will have open communication both up and down the chain of command. Your subordinates should not be afraid to ask questions and you should not feel threatened by questions that come your way. If you don’t know the answer to a question posed by a team member, let them know you will get the information for them and then make sure you do it. This builds your credibility and earns the respect of your team.
Be people-centered – Colin Powell said, “Leadership is all about people.” Plain and simple, being a leader is all about the people you lead. The organization, the plans, strategies, missions, and jobs don’t matter if you don’t focus on the people first. The number one way to be people-centered is to COMMUNICATE with your people. Get to know them, find out what lights them up, what they are good at. We all have strengths that contribute to the success of the team. By knowing those strengths in your people, you can help them by allowing them to shine in their area of genius, while simultaneously helping the entire team to grow.
3. To be an effective leader, you need to understand that when you are given the chance to lead, you are really being given the chance to serve. In order to serve those in your charge, you must take the initiative to improve your own skills so you can serve effectively. Becoming a better communicator is one of the best ways to do this!
For more on how to communicate as a leader, click HERE to follow 10-4 Communications on LinkedIn. We also offer leadership communication workshops for corporate and professional teams. To inquire about booking a workshop, click HERE.
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Ciao for now!