According to a recent Deloitte survey, the most crucial characteristic of a leader is communication abilities.
According to poll respondents, the following are the most important characteristics for a leader to have:
Communication abilities 71%
Hardworking 68%
Flexible 58%
Confident 58%
Patient 53%
Assertive 27%
Resilient 27%
Independent 18%
Authoritative 16%
Proud 14%
Communication skills are essential for senior leadership and success at all organizational levels. If you want to boost your executive presence, your ability to communicate will set you apart from the crowd.
Here are 9 communication skills improvement tips:
Simplify and stay on message
Use easy-to-understand terminology.
Engage your listeners or readers
Involve your listeners and readers in the discussion. Pose questions and solicit feedback. Solicit feedback from them.
Take time to respond
After you’ve listened (and comprehended), take some time to “draft” what you want to say in your brain.
Make sure you are understood
Don’t blame the other person for their lack of comprehension. Instead, search for methods to explain or reframe what you’re saying so that it’s clear.
Develop your listening skills, too
Most of the time, the best communicators are also the best listeners. Listen without passing judgment, and don’t be distracted by what you’re going to say next. Then, rather than reacting, you respond.
Body language is important
Nonverbal communication accounts for 65 percent of all communication, according to studies.Look for visual cues that indicate whether your listener understands, agrees, or disagrees with your statement. Be mindful that your body is also transmitting signals.
Maintain eye contact
Maintaining eye contact while speaking to a group or one-on-one builds credibility and communicates that you care about your audience.
Respect your audience
Recognize that your message is about more than just you or what you want. You should genuinely care about the needs and viewpoints of the people with whom you are speaking. One of the best ways to express your gratitude is to listen to what they have to say.
Make communication a priority
Take classes, read books or magazines, or learn from excellent communicators in your community. Seek the advice of a mentor or executive coach.
You’ll master the art of having uncomfortable discussions, making your views heard, expertly negotiating a wage increase or promotion, and leaving a lasting impression on everyone you meet if you have good communication skills.