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LECA Philosophy on Communication
Learning to communicate well is not an option for a leader
— it's imperative! An exceptional leader, becomes a
master communicator, managing communication:
- up — with the managers and executives
above her/him in the organizational hierarchy — sometimes
referred to as managing up;
- down — with direct reports and team members;
and
- sideways — among her/his peers.
This is not really as difficult as it sounds, but it does require
attention to detail, the proper attitude, and a few simple techniques that will
improve the success of your communication efforts. For example...
- We believe exceptional communication starts with a willingness to
observe situations from multiple (often opposing) points of
view.
- Communication is about building relationships (short- and/or
long-term) and about creating opportunities for open dialogue based upon
credibility, trust, and ethical behavior.
- Keep in mind that people deal best with those they like, or at least, respect.
- To improve your communication with an individual or group, you will want
to:
- become "visible" to that person or group —
so they know who you are;
- understand their goals and needs; and
- be able to express your needs in terms that align with the other
person's agenda and vision for the future (i.e., speak their
"language").
- Giving others regular reminders (concerning needs, expectations,
accomplishments, and progress) in a form and format they find palatable goes
a long way toward building mutual understanding and minimizing errors.
- When reporting problems, either come prepared with a range of well-conceived
options as possible solutions or, at the very least,
with a set of open-ended questions that will stimulate brainstorming and
problem-solving efforts.
- Keep your interactions simple, direct, and regular (even when you don't
want to).
- Make it easy for others to trust and respect you.
Want to know more about effective communication? Look into our
Managing Up: Don't Get a Crick in
Your Neck»
audio/workbook program or teleseminar.
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