Leaders Speak in Three Dimensions

American writer James Humes said,

“The art of communication is the language of leadership.”

It goes without saying, that the higher up you go professionally, especially in the corporate world, the more important your communication skills become. But have you noticed that leaders have a special way of talking which tends to embrace three dimensions; personal, future and story?

1. Personal

All communication is about connection. When they’re communicating, leaders make sure they connect to each individual on a personal level as much as possible. This means really listening to what the other person is saying and understanding them. Without connection, there is no effective communication.

Always make sure you're connecting, not just talking.

2. Future

Leaders are constantly talking about the future. They often talk about a future which is a better tomorrow than today. Communicating an inspiring vision where everyone understands the part they play gives meaning and purpose. It feeds into the things that people hold most dear. Again, this is another way of connecting.

3. Story

Good leaders tell stories. Stories engage us; we are hard-wired to remember them. The most effective leaders tell stories that are inspirational, where people take the starring role. If you identify with the story they’re telling, you’ll feel like you belong – we’re back at connection again.

When you need to make a point in a meeting or presentation, think if you can illustrate it through a story or personal anecdote.

Leaders also speak in threes

Here is a simple tip for when you talk or describe something: use groups of three. Speaking ‘in threes’ sounds professional, competent and authoritative. It also makes it easier for people to remember your message. So when presenting, divide your content into three. When describing something, use three adjectives.

As you aim higher in your career, give some thought to how much you communicate from these three dimensions. Where do you need to focus more? How can you do that?

Speaking from each perspective at the appropriate moment will send out the message that you communicate like a leader but more importantly, it will allow you to connect to others in a very powerful way.