Effective communications for better leadership

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Effective Communications
for Better Leadership
Hope Generation
@2015

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Learning Objectives
 Understand communication and
communication process
 Identify the basic forms of communication in
organizations
 Discuss formal and informal communication,
including its various forms and types
 Describe how the communication process
can be managed so as to recognize and
overcome barriers.
 Listening skills and its importance.

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Communications
Communication
 The process of transmitting information from
one person to another.
 Is the single most important leadership skill
 Is a process, and if the process breaks down,
communication will fail.

4. Communications
 Effective communication
 Existence of (At least) two actors (S & R).
 Message transmission.
 Understand message equally.
 Message can be verbal or non verbal
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Steps in the Communication Process

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Communications
How to Improve Communications
 Individual skills
 Encourage two-way communication
 Be aware of language and meaning
 Be sensitive to sender’s and receiver’s perspective
 Develop good listening skills
 Organizational skills
 Follow up
 Regulate information flow
 Understand the richness of media

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Communications
Feedback
 The receiver becomes the sender and the
sender becomes the receiver.
 Is important to verify meaning and complete
the effective communication process

8. Willingness to Communicate
 High WTCs are viewed as more credible
and attractive
 People who speak frequently in small
groups are more likely to hold leadership
positions.
 Talkative people are more likely to be
hired and promoted
 High WTCs are more open to change and
enjoy tasks that require thought
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Barriers to Communication
Individual barriers
 Conflicting or inconsistent cues
 Credibility about the subject
 Reluctance to communicate
 Poor listening skills

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Barriers to Communications
Organizational barriers
 Semantics
 Status or power differences
 Different perceptions
 Noise
 Overload

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Characteristics of Information
 Accurate
 A valid and reliable reflection of reality
 Timely
 Information delivered in time for managerial action
 Complete
 Information that tells a complete story, rather than being
incomplete or distorted
 Relevant
 Meets the needs and circumstances (understanding) of the
leader/follower

12. Types of Communication
 Verbal
 Oral Communication
 Written.
• Electronic.
• Non Electronic.
 Non verbal
 Body language.
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Formal and Informal Communications
 Formal Communication follows official reporting
relationships and/or prescribed organizational
channels.
 Non formal may not follow official reporting
system usually used for friendship.
 Common forms of informal communications are
the grapevine.

14. Factors Impacting Understanding of
Message
 Cultural diversity
 Status differences (power)
 Gender
 Previous experiences
 Level of interest
 Speaking or writing abilities
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How Leaders Should Communicate
 Determining what to say and to whom you send to.
 Deliver the leadership message by getting the
message across verbally, mentally, and
methophorically.
 Sustain the leadership message by keeping the
message alive, fresh and meaningful.

16. Leadership is Enacted Through
Communication
 Communication Oriented
 Responsive and receptive to questions
 from participants
 Ask and persuade rather than order or
command
 Explain the reasons behind changes and
policies
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Poor Communications
 When leaders are not clear with their
communications.
 When the leader makes the assumption that
his or her followers are on the same plain of
thought he or she is operating.
 When this happens the leader becomes
ineffective and fails to complete the mission.

18. Why listening skill is important
 Improves relationships
 Improves our knowledge
 Improves our understanding
 Prevents problems escalating
 Saves time and energy
 Can save money
 Leads to better results
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19. Hearing Versus Listening
 Hearing: To perceive sound via the ear
 Listening: To concentrate on hearing
something; heed or pay attention to
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20. Barriers to effective listening
 Interrupting – knowing the answer
 Trying to be helpful
 Seeing discussion as competition
 Distraction - red flag words
 Gap searching
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21. Approaches to improve communication
 Get ready.
 Put your self at the point of your audience.
 In verbal, use simple language.
 Practice, Practice and Practice.
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