Ace the language and devices of business system to contribute definitively to key discussions and your group's prosperity

 

Today, we are all well aware that the pandemic has significantly impacted our industry from one standpoint or another. It has had a devastating impact on many businesses across every sector; however, it is far more important, particularly in times of crisis or uncertainty, that effective leadership skills should be at the forefront of people’s minds. As leaders, we have an immense responsibility as individuals to do whatever it takes to ensure that we provide an environment where everyone feels safe, secure and empowered to flourish and thrive—and this includes employees. With so much upheaval happening around the world right now, it can feel like there isn’t anyone to turn to for guidance and direction. In such cases, you might find yourself questioning how to best communicate with other employees and their management teams during these trying times. This article will help you master the skills needed to articulate effectively in front of others, as well as set clear expectations for yourself and your colleagues.

Communicate Effectively

Communication is not always as cut and dry as it appears. There are specific communication channels available to address different types of challenges. For example, you may want to give feedback via email, but another employee might require regular face-to-face meetings on a regular basis. What each person is looking for from you, or what message exactly they expect, can vary greatly. So, if you are aiming to send out information or advice in some type of traditional format or form (e.g., email), you need to consider your audience to make sure you’re delivering it correctly. Consider a variety of methods to get across a particular message so that everyone’s needs are met.

Focus On “What”

One crucial piece of information that can often seem trivial and even irrelevant when communicating the way forward is understanding what you are actually talking about. Every piece of communication from an individual level down to an executive-level organization must be accompanied with a clearly-thought out statement of purpose. Think about who you are speaking to and why you are presenting this information. What message do you want them to take away? Are you providing insight into the internal workings of the company? How does this inform future plans? By answering these questions and knowing what you are aiming for (and what you are giving them in return) you will have a clearer idea of the overall goals and objectives that you wish to accomplish. Once clarity of focus is achieved, it becomes easier to provide relevant content in order to establish an atmosphere of trust and confidence.

Keep Questions Honest

While formal communication is ideal for certain situations, sometimes the simplest and best approach is to keep things casual and direct. Remember to ask questions without pre-conditioning answers, so you never lose sight of why you are asking. Never assume that other people understand everything you have just said. They may not know the whole story, but they will certainly be able to help and add value to what you have been saying. You might also consider taking the time to listen to those in your network to further clarify what they are asking. If you aren’t confident in your ability to respond directly, then consider reaching out to someone else in your line of work that could give you some perspective…or even better, provide you with support.

Be Clear About Expectations

This is an extremely common misstep we tend to make when attempting communication with others. We jump straight down the throat and hope to impress by simply being firm, telling the person off, or voicing opinions that we may personally feel aren’t helpful. While these approaches may make us look good on social media, they only result in one thing—everyone simply gets confused. Always remember to offer context and examples of how something was accomplished—whether you were a part of it or a witness. Being clear and concise sets a strong foundation for how you express yourself and sets the tone for your opinion and point of view. Knowing what you are doing and why helps to create an inviting, comfortable environment for conversation to occur. More importantly, it makes you a more credible source of information for potential clients, partners, customers, and other stakeholders that you may interact with regularly.

Ask Yourself Why

When you think of successful projects, think first to the end goal behind them! Not only should project planning include both short- and long-term vision and goals, but it should also include steps and actions taken to achieve these aims. When you outline what you intend to accomplish, and how it will affect the people you serve, you can identify potential setbacks and problems. You can develop solutions to mitigate the negative effects of any issues that arise—and this process of identifying problems and opportunities is critical to developing a roadmap that leads to real change over time. Having a clear plan for action means that you are focused on solving complex challenges rather than attempting to solve the issue at hand without having planned for the solution beforehand. This is a great place for brainstorming ideas and exploring avenues to move forward. Ultimately, this results in improved efficiency and flexibility within your company while ensuring that you remain accountable towards achieving your ultimate goals.

The Bottom Line: Be Effective

As I mentioned above, effective communication is essential wherever you place your faith. Whether it’s through emails, phone calls, and Slack messages, it is essential that we don’t let fear stop us from establishing rapport and setting productive boundaries between ourselves. Even in a stressful situation, we can rely on our own self-awareness and ability to recognize our own weaknesses. Keeping open lines of communication will allow us to quickly gain new perspectives, build relationships, and improve our relationships with other people in ways that go beyond the immediate exchange of information. At the same time, open doors for collaboration and positive interactions, which in turn can lead to increased loyalty from your teammates and ultimately increase your reputation. Now is the time to put theory into practice!