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5 Important Communication Skills Leaders Must Have 

Smiling woman in foreground with six other people meeting in the background

Proper communication is a highly vital skill, not just for leaders but for any human being. We use communication to address problems, find solutions, find the deal and seal it, and outside the business world, it is essential to understand one another.

Therefore, it is no surprise that most leaders consider communication coaching and take on communication skills classes to better communication understanding. And while multiple ways are used to communicate, here are the five most important communication skills to have.

1. Management And Decision Making

For a leader, you have many responsibilities, the main ones including management and decision making. It includes holding meetings, delegating tasks to your staff, identifying important matters and burning issues amongst your employees, addressing them, and more. You need to have the necessary communication skills to perform all these tasks and communicate effective decisions efficiently. 

2. Listening And Acknowledging

Listening and acknowledging also require great communication skills. As a leader, listening should not just be hearing what is being said, rather understanding and acknowledging the topic of discussion. You have to also perceive the emotion and motive behind the message; understand the emphasis and major points without being detracted.

3. Effective Verbal And Non-Verbal Communication

You also need to know how to manage and control your verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Employees know how to read facial expressions and different reactions. So even if you receive bad news or you are in a bad mood, be positive with your non-verbal communication no matter what. 

4. Cohesion And Clarity

Good communication goes beyond just pouring words out of your mouth. It is about giving out messages clearly and concisely, which would be understood accordingly. It is about understanding the purpose behind a conversation and making sure it is well communicated.

5. Asking And Answering Questions

Whether you are addressing your staff, holding or having an interview, or just in a position to ask and answer questions, good communication is the key. Clarity must be communicated in order for questions and answers to be understood.

Communication Coaching

No one is born with great interaction skills. Even the best of the best still learn and become experts through education and experience. That is where communication coaching comes in.

Simply put, communication coaching is whatever means you take to improve your communication skills. It could be through reading books, consulting with an expert, or even taking a course. It comes with multiple benefits, including;

  • One of the best rewards of communication coaching is increasing self-awareness. Part of improving your communication skills is listening to yourself talk, how you pass the message, your choice of words, and just being aware of the areas you have the potential to improve on.
  • Having a strong range of vocabulary and being able to improvise and interact in unexpected situations will boost your confidence and make you an effective communicator. Communication coaching experts can help you improve such skills through tailored training sessions. Those seeking to climb up the career ladder faster turn to companies with systems for developing exceptional communication skills. Communication coaching programs help high-potential leaders feel more enriched and fulfilled at work.

You also get to realize your strengths and weaknesses, as far as communication is concerned; is it business writing, presentation skills, or discussions? 

  • You also get to improve the skills you already have while learning new ones. It is also a great way of increasing your value as an expert and professional. You also get to enhance your technical skills and learn non-technical skills and become an important part of the organization.
  • Better communication skills also mean better management of tasks, which results in better management of time. You also get to improve relationships and network more effectively. These are all great benefits to the institution.
  • Another important communication skill is that you get to learn emotional intelligence, control your feelings and emotions, and handle difficult behavior. Being a leader is not easy. You are in the middle of handling clients and managing employees. It won’t always be smooth, and more often than not, your communication skills are put to the test as a leader.

More on this topic:

Communication at Vital Points in a Customer’s Journey

Communication at Vital Points in a Customer’s Journey

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