Here's how you can enhance your communication skills as a leader in the workplace.

To improve your communication skills as a leader, focus on listening actively and make sure you really understand what others are saying. Speak clearly and simply so everyone can understand you easily. Create an environment where everyone feels safe to give and receive feedback. Adjust how you talk based on who you're speaking to, making sure your message is always clear. Keep everyone updated regularly to build trust and make teamwork smoother. Also, be empathetic and consider others' feelings when you communicate. These steps will help you become a better communicator and a more effective leader.

Aktives Zuh?ren ist für Führungskr?fte wichtig, um eine Verbindung zu den Mitarbeitenden aufbauen zu k?nnen und dabei deren Bedürfnisse zu verstehen, um diese wiederum im Führungsverhalten einflie?en lassen zu k?nnen. Eine Grundvoraussetzung dafür ist eine wertsch?tzende Grundhaltung der Führungskraft, woraus das echte Interesse an der Person des Gespr?chspartners hervorgeht. Aufbauend darauf, und das ist die n?chste Stufe zum aktiven Zuh?ren, kann die Führungskraft emphatisch Zuh?ren. N?mlich dann, wenn neben dem kognitiven Verstehen auch ein emotionales Verst?ndnis in das Zuh?ren einflie?t. Damit wird neben der kognitiven auch die emotionale Ebene des Gespr?chspartners einbezogen, was die Beziehung noch weiter vertieft.

When engaging in active listening, go beyond verbal communication cues. Pay attention to non-verbal cues such as body language and tone of voice, as they often convey emotions and underlying messages. Additionally, practice empathy by putting yourself in the speaker's shoes to better understand their perspective.

When you listen, be present, hear what’s said and what is not said in response to your inquiries. Look and see beyond what’s being presented to what is fully present!

To enhance communication skills as a leader, prioritise clarity, empathy, and authenticity in your interactions. Practice active listening by giving your full attention to the speaker, maintaining eye contact, and asking clarifying questions to demonstrate understanding. Encourage an open and inclusive environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns. Provide constructive feedback and actively seek input from others to encourage collaboration and engagement. Continuously work on refining your verbal and nonverbal communication, adapting your style to different situations and audiences. Invest in communication training or workshops to further develop your skills and stay attuned to evolving workplace.

Ask 6-10 people who you like, admire, trust, and respect to tell you how you present and what they see as available and distant in your approach. Then, thank them, don’t defend yourself, and implement the ideas with validity to be an open communicator of body language and approach!

When communicating with your team, pay attention to their body language as well. Observe their posture, eye contact, and gestures to gauge their level of engagement and understanding. If you notice signs of discomfort or confusion, adjust your approach accordingly to ensure clarity and alignment. Additionally, use mirroring techniques to establish rapport and create a sense of connection during interactions. By synchronizing your body language with others, you can foster stronger relationships and enhance communication effectiveness.

Il est toujours bon de rappeler que le message que vous faites passer lorsque vous êtes en situation de communication repose à : - 15% sur le verbal, sur ce que vous dites, - 35% sur le para-verbal, sur la tonalité sur laquelle vous le dites, - et 50% sur le non-verbal, c'est-à-dire sur l'attitude que vous adoptez lorsque vous le dites. Votre langage corporel se révèle donc la première chose à travailler lorsque vous souhaitez améliorer votre communication en situation professionnelle et développer activement l'expression de votre leadership.

Using body language effectively involves being mindful of your posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact to convey confidence, sincerity, and engagement. Maintain an open posture with relaxed shoulders and arms to appear approachable and receptive. Make purposeful gestures that complement your verbal message and help emphasise key points. Maintain good eye contact to establish rapport and demonstrate active listening. Pay attention to your facial expressions, ensuring they align with the tone of the conversation and convey genuine emotions. Adjust your body language according to the context and cultural norms to effectively connect with others and convey your message persuasively.

It's claimed that speaking counts for only 7% of communication so optimising one's body language is a top consideration for leaders to positively impact others. Being aware of one's posture, hand and facial gestures and openness are some examples. Watch recordings of yourself (without sound) in different contexts and ask yourself what you are communicating. This is a good starting point.

One thing that I have found extremely powerful and helpful in my career and with coaching clients, can be found in Stephen Covey's book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." This book has helped me focus on how to work and clearly communicate with people at all levels. "Begin with the end in mind" and "First seek to understand" are very important and underscores the power of simplicity and directness in conveying messages effectively. It's about being clear and concise, ensuring that everyone on the team is on the same page without getting lost in unnecessary complexity.

When delivering clear messages, consider using visual aids such as charts or diagrams to supplement your verbal communication. Visuals can enhance understanding and retention, especially for complex topics or data-heavy information. Additionally, encourage feedback from your team to ensure that your message is resonating and address any lingering questions or concerns promptly.

Clear messaging involves expressing your ideas concisely, logically, and with relevance to your audience's needs and interests. Start by defining your key points and organising them in a logical order, using simple language that is easy to understand. Avoid jargon or technical terms that may confuse your audience. Provide context and examples to illustrate your points and make them relatable. Use visuals or multimedia aids to support your message and enhance comprehension. Finally, summarise your main points at the end to reinforce understanding and ensure your message resonates with your audience effectively.

A typical CEO's email is usually very short (1 - 3 lines) and reduced sentencing, using the bare minimum to communicate. Being direct and concise removes interpretation. Effective communication requires a clear message AND clear response the other party has understood the message with an ICQ (Information-Checking-Question). Think of soldiers speaking via radio. Each communication is followed by a "roger" or "over". Short, direct and require a response.

Je undurchsichtiger die Situation ist, desto transparenter muss kommuniziert werden. So schaffe ich nicht nur die wichtige Ziel- und Rollenklarheit, ich erfülle in der Regel auch Bedürfnisse der Mitarbeitenden nach Sicherheit, Struktur, Klarheit und Zugeh?rigkeit. Zudem werden Missverst?ndnisse reduziert und es wird Gerüchten vorgebeugt.

The saying "People don't remember what you say but how how you made them feel" applies here. Tone and empathy communicate beyond words and people respond in accordance to how these make them feel. Tailor the 2 to the context and other party for best results.

Feedback = Growth = Progress. Part of being an effective leader means enabling the above process by systemically structuring feedback loops into work relationships. Quarterly sessions, peer to peer and team building sessions can all facilitate.

When honing communication skills, seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors to gain insights into areas for improvement. Utilize technology tools such as video recording to review your interactions and identify areas of strength and areas needing refinement. Additionally, consider joining professional networking groups or forums where you can exchange ideas and best practices with fellow leaders.