[Leadership tools] Communication techniques

Communication is the process of exchanging information and ideas between individuals or groups. Effective communication can enhance collaboration, understanding, trust, and engagement. This chapter introduces some communication techniques that leaders can use to improve their communication skills and foster a positive work environment.

For me, the hardest part is being assertive, especially when emotions kick in. So in order to be able to master your emotions, it's good to start with the... start :-)

Begin by:

• Clearly explaining tasks and goals to your team.
• Providing feedback and understanding what your team is working on.
• Resolving conflicts promptly.
• Ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding deadlines and expectations.

There are a few communication strategies that you might find valuable:

1. Use Short Words to Talk About Hard Things: When discussing complex or challenging topics, opt for simple language. Clear, concise communication helps ensure everyone understands the message.
2. Choose Sticky Metaphors: Metaphors can reinforce key concepts and make them more memorable. Consider using relatable comparisons to enhance understanding.
3. Humanize Data: Numbers and data can be dry, but you can make them more relatable by adding context or telling a story around them. This humanizes the information and makes it more engaging.
4. Make Mission Your Mantra: Align your team by consistently emphasizing the organization’s mission. When everyone understands and believes in the purpose, communication becomes more effective¹.

Some of the communication techniques most used are:

-          Active listening: Active listening is the practice of paying attention, showing interest, and providing feedback to the speaker. Active listening can help leaders to understand the needs, concerns, and emotions of their team members, as well as to build rapport and trust. Active listening involves using verbal and non-verbal cues, such as nodding, paraphrasing, asking questions, and summarizing, to show that the listener is engaged and attentive. (Rogers & Farson, 1957)

-          Assertive communication: Assertive communication is the expression of one's thoughts, feelings, and opinions in a respectful and confident manner. Assertive communication can help leaders to communicate their expectations, boundaries, and feedback clearly and effectively, without being aggressive or passive. Assertive communication involves using "I" statements, such as "I think", "I feel", and "I need", to convey one's perspective and needs, while acknowledging and respecting the perspective and needs of others. (Alberti & Emmons, 2008)

-          Nonviolent communication: Nonviolent communication is a communication framework that aims to foster empathy, compassion, and cooperation among people. Nonviolent communication can help leaders to resolve conflicts, address issues, and motivate their team members in a constructive and respectful way. Nonviolent communication involves four steps: observing the situation without judgment, identifying and expressing one's feelings, stating one's needs, and making a request that can meet those needs. (Rosenberg, 2003)

-          Feedback communication: Feedback communication is the exchange of constructive and specific information about the performance and behavior of an individual or a group. Feedback communication can help leaders to recognize the strengths and areas of improvement of their team members, as well as to provide guidance and support for their growth and development. Feedback communication involves using the SBI model, which consists of three elements: describing the situation, describing the behavior, and describing the impact. (Center for Creative Leadership, 2019)