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Communication is Paramount
by Jerry M. Bodman, Staff Writer
The art of leadership encompasses many variables; however, this is one constant- communication. To be an effective leader you must be able to communicate your vision, thoughts and ideas in a manner that produces the greatest results. Never has this principle been more evident than in today’s society of e-mail, voice mail and the Internet, where information overload is the norm. Step into any modern office and you will find people busily creating documents or communicating electronically trying to stay abreast of technology and deadlines.
"If you don’t know where you are going, then any road will take you there." - Lewis Carol
As a leader, it is important to communicate your vision or strategic plan. Where do you want the organization to be in the future? By telling the organization where you want it to be heading, you are empowering those people who work for you to make decisions and be dynamic rather than static.
Once you have set the goal, provide periodic feedback. There is nothing worse than trying to do a job while dealing with lack of direction and guidance that come from improper or untimely feedback. When you provide the feedback make sure that you are specific and direct.
Communication is a two way street, so open the door and listen. Now that you have created your vision and are providing feedback it’s time to receive some input so lend an ear to those talented individuals that fill the rooms and cubicles of your workspace. Be open to change and improvements because complacency is a killer.
When writing , practice "short but sweet" communications. I’m not saying leave out all the colorful adjectives that bring life to your prose but do try to get to the point. When composing email or memorandums, state the facts and move on. There is no need to dilute your message with flowery verbiage and long winded diatribes. Just convey the information necessary to convey the message. If you put out a newsletter, please don’t fill it with nonsense. If you do put it after the important parts. Use your communications mediums effectively. The ability to write is what sets apart man from the monkey so see to it that you do us proud.
Be careful of non-verbal communication! You may be saying good job with your words but sending a totally different message with your eyes, head, body language or even a sigh.
Seek out ways to communicate with your workforce and your peers. One way to dabble in early leadership, the fundamental beginnings of communication management, is to walk around. You are far more informed when you actually participate in situations at the operation level. This brings you in-tune with your people and their issues. After all, if you don’t know what concerns your staff, then you can not attempt to offer resolutions. And without resolutions to people issues, productivity and quality plummet. When quality suffers, your customer suffers and the goods come back but not the customer.1
In addition to walking around, try a suggestion box and or to develop periodic surveys. Not everyone is comfortable telling the boss, face to face, that they don’t like their policies or working conditions. So offer alternate paths for receiving information and new ideas.
Remember, communication is a key part of leadership. Communication builds knowledge and knowledge is power - use it or lose it.
Related Internet Resources -
1 W. Edwards Deming, Out of the Crisis (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT/CAES, 1995) 175
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