Model Skills of Top Leaders and Become a World-Class Communicator
![Model Skills of Top Leaders and Become a World-Class Communicator Model Skills of Top Leaders and Become a World-Class Communicator](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/hand-1592415_1280-250x164.jpg)
Do you struggle with communicating effectively? To answer that question, look to your team members, your project owners, and your customers. All decisions and actions result from communicating. If your communication is effective, things get done and you have happy customers, happy teams, and successful projects. If ineffective, it produces disengagement and stress which can cause absenteeism, illness, missed deadlines, and projects that do not meet customer requirements.
If you, your team, or your projects suffer from the latter, it may be time for a “communication audit”. First, take a good look at how you communicate. Then analyze how people are talking to each other. Are people respectful? When someone is talking, are others listening or on their phones? Do they listen or do they interrupt and talk over each other? Are messages getting through? Are ideas being shared?
Even if your projects are successful most of the time, you can still improve. By starting with the communication skills practiced by great leaders, you will become a leader that others want to follow. According to Jack Canfield in The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be, successful leaders get others to fully commit through masterful communication.
![leadership-3331244_cropped Leadership](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/leadership-3331244_cropped.jpg)
Top leaders communicate well because they have mastered the following skills. Luckily, you too can learn these same skills!
Follow these essential skills to improve your communication and that will dramatically improve your success.
- Learn to listen. Top leaders know that listening is a crucial part of communication. Learn to love listening and engage in the stories of others.
- Try to really pay attention during a conversation instead of being distracted by your phone or other device. Have one conversation at a time to give each person your full attention.
- Practice retelling the person’s story in your mind to get better at listening.
- Everyone wants to be heard. Others will notice that you’re listening to them and will go away from your conversations thinking what a great communicator you are, when all you did was listen.
![silhouette-1793916_1280 Avoid slang and informalities. It’s normal to use slang or other types of informal language while talking to friends or family. However, business usually requires a more formal language set. Pay attention to who you’re talking to and make the necessary adjustments. Slang, acronyms, and informalities can also make some people feel uncomfortable, especially if they’re not familiar with them.](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/silhouette-1793916_1280.jpg)
- Avoid slang and informalities. It’s normal to use slang or other types of informal language while talking to friends or family. However, business usually requires a more formal language set. Pay attention to who you’re talking to and make the necessary adjustments.
- Slang, acronyms, and informalities can also make some people feel uncomfortable, especially if they’re not familiar with them.
- Focus on being brief. Top leaders know that you don’t have to make a long speech to be effective.
- Practice being brief and getting your point across with fewer words and less time. People appreciate brief conversations and respect others who don’t go off on tangents.
- However, ensure you’re still providing enough information while you talk. You don’t want to be vague or miss important details.
- This skill may take time to develop, so practice it often. The next time you have a conversation, try to get your point across with less talking. Try to summarize the important parts and only focus on them while you talk.
- Pay attention to other’s emotions. When you talk, take note of how the other person is reacting. Words are powerful, and communication can affect people in many different ways.
- You may want to learn psychology to understand emotions better.
- Show sympathy and empathy when it’s appropriate during a conversation.
- Look at things from the other person’s point of view without criticism or judgment.
![network-3664108_1280 Be charismatic. Communication is easier for charismatic people, but you can learn this skill. One of the most important aspects of charisma is confidence, but not arrogance or self-righteousness. Confident communicators know their value and worth, but they’re also respectful of others. Another facet of charisma is optimism, and it’s also a big part of communication. Even if you’re having a difficult conversation, focus on something positive. Top leaders are good at finding the silver lining. Charismatic communicators are interesting, but they also share interesting information with others. They focus on innovation and new ideas that give people a spark.](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/network-3664108_1280.jpg)
- Be charismatic. Communication is easier for charismatic people, but you can learn this skill.
- One of the most important aspects of charisma is confidence, but not arrogance or self-righteousness. Confident communicators know their value and worth, but they’re also respectful of others.
- Another facet of charisma is optimism, and it’s also a big part of communication. Even if you’re having a difficult conversation, focus on something positive. Top leaders are good at finding the silver lining.
- Charismatic communicators are interesting, but they also share interesting information with others. They focus on innovation and new ideas that give people a spark.
You can become a world-class communicator by modeling top leaders who demonstrate them. Practice these skills as often as possible. You will have many opportunities to practice every day.
However, if you want to become a great leader, hire a personal coach, so says Jack Canfield in The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. In Principle 45, Canfield describes why coaching is worth more than money. It is one of the most powerful habits of successful people.
As you know, practice makes perfect. With the you support, accountability, and focus provided by your personal coach, your practice will be perfect and that will take you to greater heights.
To find out how personal coaching will propel you towards your goals, let’s talk!