Goals vs. Tools: How to Avoid Communication Pitfalls as a Leader
Aleksei Groshenko
Executive & Leadership Coach & Consultant | Helping Leaders at All Levels Scale Their Impact, Influence & Career Growth | PCC ICF | MA in Org Psychology | 20+ Years Developing 18,000+ Employees & 5,000+ Managers
When managers come to me asking to “improve their communication skills,” I always ask: for what purpose? Many people see communication as a goal in itself, but in reality, it’s just a tool. Developing communication for the sake of communication is like learning to drive without knowing where you want to go.
To be effective in communication, you must first define your ultimate goal and then select the right tool. Let’s break down 10 of the most common communication goals for leaders and the corresponding tools:
1. Getting Leadership Approval for an Idea
Tool: Idea-selling framework, including establishing rapport, identifying audience needs, and presenting the idea as a solution to their problems.
2. Making a Joint Decision in a Team
Tool: Discussing available options, brainstorming risks, and working through solutions together.
3. Changing an Employee’s Behavior
Tool: Feedback framework, including fact-based observations, impact analysis, and suggested adjustments.
4. Transferring Knowledge and Developing Skills
Tool: Mini-lectures, presentations, case study reviews, and learning through examples.
5. Boosting Employee Motivation
Tool: Inspirational conversation, identifying individual motivators, recognizing achievements, and discussing career growth opportunities.
6. Resolving Team Conflicts
Tool: Active listening techniques, mediation dialogue, and finding compromises or win-win solutions.
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7. Building Trust Between a Leader and the Team
Tool: Regular one-on-one meetings, genuine interest in employees, and transparent communication.
8. Reducing Resistance to Change
Tool: Change communication framework, including explaining reasons, demonstrating benefits, and engaging employees in the process.
9. Increasing Employee Engagement
Tool: Meaningful discussions about the purpose of work, clarifying company goals and individual contributions, and fostering a feedback culture.
10. Developing Strategic Vision Within the Team
Tool: Facilitating strategic sessions, discussing long-term objectives, and modeling future scenarios.
Communication is not an end in itself; it is a tool for achieving specific results. Many leaders make the mistake of trying to improve their skills without understanding why they need them. The right approach is to first define the goal and then select the most effective tool to reach it.
?? What other communication goals do you find important? What tools do you use? ??
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