Leadership and Communication
Mostly when it comes to leadership positions there is a requirement to be have an ability to "communicate clearly in the written and spoken word". We can read books about this or look to others' styles as reference points for insights. Most organizations have a kind of common style where there's almost a dialect. The head of the organization communicates on e-mail or via power-point in a certain way and then that is adopted.
Every organization has key words that they rely on to frame either their process or their customers or their teams. And if we spend many years in the same organization that style becomes inculcated in us. We use that language too in our day-to-day lives so that our conversations have a kind of business/social tone almost all the time.
How far we chose to align ourselves to the culture and style of an organization is our choice. There are trade-offs to make and our own sense of values and circumstances play a role in the flexibility of the line we draw. Our careers are as important as the lives we lead.
For the written word, then what approaches can we take that will resonate well and create a positive impact
Taking the time to describe an issue or topic simply, using simple day to day language. We don't need to be poets or wordsmiths. It is almost always beneficial to describe by hitting the key features of the topic at hand. This subject matters to me is the clear message.
When we're dealing with uncertainty or outcomes we don't fully know using words that acknowledges that is key to effective communication. This doesn't mean skirting around an issue, using statements like "I don't know", it means acknowledging that there are several potential outcomes and that there is an element of risk.
Watch for over-relying on "I" when the culture of teamwork is high on the agenda, and we can balance "we", "together", "alongside" and so on to reflect that many hands make light work.
We stick to the facts, as we know the facts to be. Data and metrics will strength our point and give it definition, particularly with complex strategic matters.
Critically, we can stand over what we've written. It has honesty and even if the message is a tough one to deliver we can stand over our points of view and we make those points in the spirit of progress.
Often in a busy workplace we may not give ourselves to deal with important e-mails on strategic matters. Give yourself the space and time. Prioritising is the way to go, and remaining professional when you're under pressure is so very important. and often there are many colleagues on a cc list so being aware of that and managing it effectively helps grow relationships.
So being concise and focussed and skilled in the written word makes a difference and is a key leadership characteristic.
And yes, we're never too old or too young to find our own style We all have our own natural style, more clearly defined in some than in others. For sure effective leaders have communication in their arsenal of talents. leadership-and-communication
great perspective