This document discusses effective communication skills for leadership. It outlines the communication process, including understanding communication, transmission of messages between a sender and receiver, and potential barriers. It also describes different types of formal and informal communication in organizations. Finally, it provides tips for improving communication, such as developing listening skills, encouraging two-way communication, and being aware of different perspectives.

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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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