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Great leaders should be great listeners. We believe that listening is fundamental to the honesty of any conversation…especially in business. When employees say they want to be heard, what they really want is for their leader to listen.
In this age of instant communication and short attention spans, active and generous listening can feel like a luxury. But it is time well spent. Listening is a critical skill that when finely tuned, creates trust and builds loyalty. How are your listening skills? What are you NOT hearing?
-Do you listen without comparing the speaker to yourself? -Do you try to understand the "why" behind the speaker's perspective? -Do you listen openly without judging what is being said? -Do you listen without trying to find a solution or give advice? -Do you pay attention to body language, facial expressions and mood? -Do you prepare your rebuttal in your mind while the speaker is still talking?
There is far more to be gained by surrendering the floor than dominating a conversation. Talking less and listening more may be a tool you could consider. |
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Evolve from Good Leader to Great Leader |
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In today’s competitive environment, leaders cannot afford to just be GOOD. They must be GREAT. By bolstering your communication skills, you can become the type of leader who wins hearts and minds of employees, customers, boards or analysts.
Ask yourself a few questions to check where you land on the “great leader” spectrum.
-Can I improve my personal communication effectiveness? -Am I too lazy to use the communication skills I do have? -Do I need to build any new communication skills? -Are my presentation skills polished and crisp? -Am I stingy with information or do I share broadly and frequently? -What kind of a role model am I? -Am I aware of my shortcomings? -Can I handle a 360-degree assessment or does it terrify me?
Ineffective communication skills derail good leaders every day. You cannot afford to overlook this leadership competency. Are you ready to move toward great? |
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Does Executive Presence Come Naturally? |
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Some leaders have a natural gift, while others need to work at developing their executive presence. If you want to make a stronger impact in the boardroom, in meetings or during presentations, do a personal check-in by asking yourself these questions. Confidence. Do I always communicate with confidence? Charisma. Do I have the ability to draw others toward me? Credibility. Do people trust what I say? Connection. Do I actively engage and make others comfortable? Composure. Do I remain poised in a variety of situations? Clarity. Am I transparent and clear in my communication?
Sharpening your communication skills will move you one step closer toward being a leader who is the real deal. Remember, always forge personal connections and be authentic with everyone you meet, from the receptionist to the CEO. |
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