Great leaders never stop trying to improve their communication skills. They understand that you cannot simply talk at people, you need to have meaningful conversations with them. Developing the skills to do that takes time and constant consideration as the tools, messages, and reasons to communicate shift over time.

As a leader, you likely already have a good foundation in communication. But everyone can improve, which is why we’re sharing our six best practices for ensuring great communication at all times.

With these tools, you’ll convey ideas better with teams, serve as an example of great communication to be followed by others in your organization, and lay the groundwork for a more efficient and productive flow of information. 

Defining Effective Communication

Communication isn’t just a numbers game. Too much communication and you run the risk of diluting your message so no one pays attention. Too little communication and your team stops relying on you to get the information they need, a recipe for gossip and rumors to flourish.

There’s no set way to communicate that will work for everyone. Why? Because great communication demands customization to your audience. Here’s how to get started.

  1. Know your audience — You wouldn’t speak to a group of children the way you would adults. Consider your target group as you craft your messaging and ensure the language matches. 
  2. Define a clear goal — Is your message trying to persuade? Uplift? Inform? Determine the purpose of the message before you create the content and keep it consistent throughout. 
  3. Measure the outcome — Figure out a way to calculate the effectiveness of your message. For example, if your message is to tell everyone in the office that masks are mandatory, count the number of people who wear masks before and after your message goes out. 
  4. Consider the method — Is tweeting about HR policies appropriate? Probably not, but it seems like a great idea to announce details about a holiday party. Match your communication method to the message, and don’t forget to use multiple methods for particularly critical communications. 
  5. Commit to consistency — Regular communication ensures people feel connected, informed, and considered. Plus, keeping your communications consistent ensures that they don’t slip through the cracks and get lost. 
  6. Cultivate multiple perspectives — Collaborate with other departments to edit messages so that they meet all the requirements above. With multiple eyes on a message, you minimize the chances for mistakes or alienating certain groups.

By following these rules, you’ll create a message perfectly tailored to your teams, your platforms, and your message. Return to these rules any time you craft a new message and share them with your teams to follow as well.

The Benefits of Stellar Communication

“Quality communication is high value if done well, but high cost if done poorly.” Chris Ihrig, CEO at FiredUp! Culture

We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf. When organizations pollute their communication channels with unnecessary messages or hide important bits of information in long messages, it leads to confusion, frustration, and a loss in productivity.

When you communicate, it should seamlessly integrate into the workflow of teams, providing exactly the information they need in that moment.

The benefits of effective communication are immediate, but they truly amplify over time as those norms trickle down to affect the way teams talk to each other. With every improvement comes a boost to productivity, collaboration, and relationships.

Eventually, it begins to impact and improve the very core of your company culture. Are you ready to start amplifying your message and improve your culture? Download our eBook: The Innovative Leader’s Guide To Transforming Company Culture… Starting With Yourself.