“ The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply”

Stephen R. Covey

Communication skills are extremely important for everyone, leaders and managers perhaps need them even more. These skills are mainly interpersonal skills, successful leaders tend to show high levels of skill when communicating.

Good leaders tend to be extremely good listeners, able to listen activelyand elicit information by good questioning. They are also likely to show high levels of assertiveness, which enables them to make their point without aggression, but firmly.

They are good at building  rapport quickly and effectively, to develop good, strong inter personal relationships with others, whether peers or subordinates.

These skills come together to help to build charisma, that quality of ‘brightness’ which makes people want to follow a leader.

Leaders know how to give others their feedbacks on personal performance in a way that will be constructive rather than destructive, and also hear others’ opinions of them.

The greater your success, the more you need to stay in touch with fresh opinions and perspectives and welcome honest feedback. Listening is the best way to know about your clientele needs to create a successful strategy. Raw truth is needed to make well-informed decisions and steer the organization in the right direction. Good leaders are active listeners.

Leaders who are very good at effective speaking are equally skilled at getting their point across in a formal presentation or meeting, or in an informal meeting or casual corridor conversation. They have also honed their ability to communicate in difficult situations, usually by practice over time.

As a leader it’s your responsibility  to encourage others around you to be open and honest without reserving yourself, just be free and open consequence. When employees share their ideas and opinions - be open-minded. 

Organisationsthat remain strong in this competitive market, understand the need to embrace change and continuous improvement. More than ever, leaders will need to master the skill of “Leading with Listening.” 

" Leaders who don't listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say."

–Andy Stanley

Stay connected

#leadership

#leadership skills