A newsletter to support High Performance Leadership and Creativity in
Individuals and Organizations™
Vm.
1, No. 1, 2001
By
Jan Hoistad, Ph.D. and Associates
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I recently
had the opportunity to speak to a group of lawyers about their role
as leaders, specifically their role as counselors, for which they
receive much technical training in legalities, but no training in
communication itself.
Since
I was given 45 minutes in which to make some kind of impact, to impart
some highlights these lawyers might remember, I looked for a metaphor
that might be easily recalled. The symbol of a beacon stood out for
me. A beacon is "a lighthouse, or a source of light or inspiration;
a signal for guidance" - typically for people in trouble or for those
seeking help. In many professions we are all called upon to "counsel"
- to educate, assist, advise, or guide. In some way, we all have to
impart information or offer knowledge to others throughout our working
day - in project team meetings, speaking with customers or vendors
on the telephone, problem-solving with a colleague, making plans with
a mate or child on a lunch break phone contact, giving feedback in
an annual review, training or even reprimanding someone who reports
to you.
Conscious
leaders are aware of their wide-ranging influence as role models.
They know they are a source of guidance in behavior, values, and interaction
in the workplace. They set the standard. They verbally, and non-verbally,
impart the values and culture of a group or organization through words,
and through every action. They have a "ripple effect" on everyone
around them - setting the tone and illuminating the way for co-leaders,
employees, customers, and associates. How a leader communicates establishes
expectations for communication at all levels of a working environment.
Good
leaders are good communicators. We all lead in many ways, no matter
our job title. We all communicate everyday, often all day long.
When
you have had an interaction with a truly good communicator, you come
away feeling heard or listened to - like your points got across, and
if there was any misunderstandings, they were clarified right away,
as though you were working together to arrive at a conclusion or better
understanding of the issues being discussed. There is no residual
confusion or "craziness" - no thinking, "Now what was that
all about?!?!" There is a sense of resolution and clarity. This level
of the communication is about the issues or information.
On the
interpersonal level of the interaction with a good communicator
you come away feeling good about yourself, even if the information
or issues were tough. You may even feel empowered. You definitely
would never feel shamed or condescended to in the interaction. There
is a sense of trusting what the other person has said because all
verbal, behavioral and emotional, or nonverbal cues are aligned. There
is no confusion in the signals to leave you not knowing or feeling
anxious about what the underlying intentions or motivations might
be, or what is expected of you.
When
you stop to think about it, interactions with a good communicator
usually include good eye contact, emotional warmth, some level of
concern about you as an individual - even if unspoken. You don't feel
treated like a robot or a "role", you come away feeling respected
as an individual.
Good
communicators often appear to do this naturally - as if they may have
been born with these skills. However, integrating good communication
on both 1) informational and 2) interpersonal levels usually takes
lots of awareness, practice and a handful of skills - awareness and
skills that can be learned and improved upon over time!!
So, using
the acronym of the "beacon", I outlined a few basic communication
concepts and tools I think every leader can remember and master, if
they are to illuminate the way for others. I hope you and your team
might find them useful reminders.
