Quite often, the success of an organisation rests as heavily upon its people as it does the product or service it provides. For CEOs, this means finding the right leaders to steer the company to success. So in the quest to be a good leader, what leadership traits must someone possess?
It’s a big question, and a debatable one, but common leadership traits tend to include strong communication, decisiveness, drive, honesty, integrity, passion and courage, just to name a few. And while some may naturally possess these leadership traits, they are all skills that can be taught and honed with some professional guidance.
In this video, I talk about the importance of communication and how to make the most of every engagement you have with other employees. After all, every opportunity we get to communicate with someone is an opportunity to deepen that relationship, thereby becoming a better leader.
This mindset is something that all great leaders need to get right, which is why ongoing professional development and training is a must when it comes to sharpening your communication skills. Good leaders also know that their success is defined not just by their personal achievements, but also by the achievements of those around them, so be sure to extend the benefits of professional development to your team members too.
Communication: a key leadership trait
Of all the leadership traits that leaders should possess, we believe strong communication is one of the most important. The ability to effectively communicate to those from all walks of life through various mediums can be what separates a mediocre leader from a great one. If you aren’t convinced that excellent communication is integral, consider the implications of bad communication, such as workplace conflict, poor productivity, poor efficiency and increased risks.
There are many killer techniques that leaders can add to their communication arsenal, whether it’s to powerfully engage their peers, or pass on to their team for further development. Here are 3 ways you and your team can become better communicators today.
1. Be a storyteller
Channel your inner child and tell captivating tales. Stories are a powerful way to communicate a message, as they evoke emotion and have the ability to transport a listener. We’re not talking about long, drawn-out storytelling; we’re talking about relevant, business-led stories that describe a situation and assist in presenting a message and engaging at the same time.
2. Be the audience
A lot of leaders make the mistake of not considering the audience when delivering a message or communicating. This sounds like a paradox, but it’s an easy mistake to make. Think about the audience and ask ‘why’: why should they believe or listen to you, and why should they care about the message you’re delivering? Answer those big questions when you communicate and you’ll be on your way to becoming a stronger leader.
3. Capitalise on every opportunity
People often underestimate the importance of communicating because it is something we do every day of our lives. But every opportunity we have to communicate is an opportunity to engage people, and create and deepen relationships. When it comes to being a powerful business leader, this cannot be underrated.
Whether it is one-on-one or one-to-many communication, these skills bring presence, meaning and value to the engagement process, which you, as a leader, can leverage. With practice, you’ll become a master communicator and a more efficient leader in no time.
Want to become a more powerful leader by delivering inspiring presentations that move people? Download our 6 Keys To Building A Memorable Presentation guide and shortcut your way to leadership excellence.
The Colin James Method® Facilitators train corporate executives to improve their leadership skills with a proven methodology. Our highly trained Facilitators and Coaches are recognised for their experience in their fields and have worked with many individuals and organisations around the world to master the art of communication.
