If the way to measure communication was about how much you talked there would not be any need to master the art of communication. Communication can be non-verbal, short, face-to-face, written down, delivered over Whatsapp or as a keynote speaker.
In my workshops I often use an ethical dilemma to discuss how people and teams communicate. Consider this scenario which is one of my favourites.
You are a leader of a team and at 10:47pm you receive a message that your work offices are flooded and that nobody can work on site tomorrow. You and your five colleagues are all due to be in the office by 0830.
When do you communicate with your team and how?
With this dilemma there is no perfect answer. With many people having different answers it shows there is no strict formula and communicating is very much an art. Knowing how, when, where, and understanding the desired outcome is key. We often make these judgments inside a few seconds and mostly they are not worth thinking too much about. A little message to a partner about picking up groceries, setting up dinner with friends, or ordering coffee at your local shop. We’ve learned the most efficient way of getting the outcome you desired.
The leaders I have worked with were always great at communicating. It was one of the qualities that made them leaders. It created better working relationships, opened doors, provided more opportunities, helped career progression and provided a little bit of soft power to their brand.
How you communicate says a lot about you. It is a skill that isn’t mentioned in many job interviews. It should be. Showing you’re a great communicator is a very attractive quality. It also makes your life a lot easier. Many teams in businesses master the art of communicating in the workplace. This provides increased efficiency, better work-life balance, stronger employee engagement, and a better response in crisis management.
As a leader you can outline the way your team communicates. What works for you, the team you manage, and the business? Having this will create boundaries, trust, and team success.
It’s one of the easiest things that can make you and your team perform better.
Want to learn more and discuss the scenarios like the above? Please find out about my communications workshops here.