In this blog series, I'll share 21 qualities to succeed as a leader in these complex times.
I assembled these 21 characteristics of healing leaders while writing my new book, Healing Leadership: How to Lead, Love, and Thrive in Business and Life. The first of those abilities is that a healing leader communicates effectively, including listening.
Communicating powerfully means that you can articulate to your team, to the people around you, precisely what you want to say to them, clearly, and express the intention with which you're saying it.
If you're speaking with your team, you are clear on the milestones, the vision for the work they're doing, how that vision and work fits into the company's big picture, and why it matters.
Those are the kinds of things you want to communicate to your team so that they can get behind you and get their buy-in. I learned this firs-hand as a professional over the last 30 years.
Here are two tried and true strategies to communicate more effectively and create mutually beneficial outcomes.
Advocate For Yourself
Communicating powerfully also means advocating for yourself.
Have you noticed people in your LinkedIn network announcing something like this: "I just finished ___ certification or completed ____ project!" What they are doing is advocating for themselves. Likewise, you can also do that by elevating the work that you are doing in the context of helping the company and the organization that you're working for achieve its mission.
Ask for What You Need
When we all rally, when we show up, when we do our best by articulating what we need, when we need it, and why it's important, the people around us can get behind us.
They can help us achieve the goals that we have personally and as a team. The company wins when the people around us know what our expectations are.
Most of us are looking to live harmoniously. Many of us dream about that. And one of the ways to achieve harmony is to communicate what you need when you need it. And to be kind about it, not to demand. Express what you need so that others know what you expect.
And if people can give you what you are needing, then that is a perfect alignment. If they can't, they can communicate what works for them and arrive at a resolution. That also creates alignment. However, how we ask is crucial to build, not destroy, trust and relationships.
Work and personal relationships fall apart when we demand something without any flexibility. When we demand, we don't express why the request is important. When we make it all about our authority, people don't get behind it. They may not understand the need from their perspective.
Typically, when we demand, others tend to push away, especially in our personal lives. People like to have choices, and simply the way we ask for what we need can make someone say yes or no to us.
From now on, become aware of how you are asking for what you need at work and home.
Stop Making Assumptions
Another phenomenon that occurs when we don't communicate powerfully is that we make assumptions. We assume that people should know what we want. "Why do I have to ask for help. It's obvious that I need help?"
It may be evident to you that you need to help the people around you. I have clients. I can't read their minds. So I ask them empowering questions so that I can understand what they need. That's how we communicate powerfully with each other.
If you are making assumptions that the people around you should know what you want and what you need, I would advise you and recommend something different.
Instead of assuming, ask.
Ask them what they know; what did you understand the problem to be? What do you think we need to do here? When they answer, you can validate whether your assumptions are correct.
Instead of assuming, let's validate that what you think somebody needs or knows is what they actually need or know.
Bringing It All Together
Asking for what you need without demanding and not making assumptions are two ways to improve your communication.
Observe how you're asking for what you need.
Are you demanding? Are you making a request and expressing why it is important, the purpose of that request?
Are you making assumptions about the people around you and what they need or know?
If you feel that the people around you are regularly letting you down, and if you blame them for the lack of communication or lack of alignment, then you have no control to fix it.
However, if you take 100% responsibility for the quality of the communication between you and anyone else in your organization or personal life, and you put it on yourself to improve it, you give yourself the control to significantly enhance the communication.
By communicating clearly with your team and loved ones, not making assumptions about what people need and know, asking and requesting what you need versus demanding it, you will notice the miscommunication will go away. And that is because you will be more explicit, and people understand much better what they need to be working on and what you expect from them.
As leaders, it always starts with us.
You can reach us at www.callwithginny.com to set up a complimentary strategy session and explore how our programs can help you rise to your full leadership potential.
In the meantime, be fearless! (act despite the fear)
Coach Ginny 💕
We'd appreciate it if you share this article with your network by clicking on the "..." at the top.
Whenever you're ready, we want to serve you with what you need support the most! Here are some ways in which we can do this together: #1 - Want to become our partner in populating the world with great leaders? Here is how! If you know someone in your trusted network of friends and colleagues who can use the support of a coach like me, I would like to invite you to check out my 10% referral program. Get the details from our Affiliates & Referral Partners page. #2 - Check out our virtual, proven career and leadership training: Learn the #1 success secret to becoming the highly impactful, influential leader you are meant to be without sacrificing your well-being. Spots are limited. Get the details here: www.fearlessledershipmastermind.com. #3 - Develop your Personal Brand with our two-week virtual program: We share the exact steps to stand out in a new job market, confidently, despite today's economy. Work on creating a magnetic resume and LinkedIn profile, growing your professional network, and preparing to increase your confidence and articulate your value during the interview process. Get the details here: www.personalbrandingmasterclass.com. #4 - Coach with us, virtually, privately, one-on-one: Join one of our private coaching programs, designed to address your specific challenges and goals, accommodating your busy schedule. Our clients earn promotions, higher pay, transition into new roles and industries they love, and enjoy a higher level of financial, emotional, and even spiritual well-being. They "do the work" and see the results! 100% virtual, join us for a complimentary session: www.executivebound.com/get-started. #5 - Introduce us to your company to deliver virtual and live motivational talks and leadership training: We partner with organizations and individuals over a wide range of industries, providing the support and structure to develop talent and grow your leadership teams. Please email us at info@executivebound.com, and let's connect.. #6 - Read our books: (NEW!) Healing Leadership: How to Lead, Love, and Thrive in Business and Life & Fearless Women at Work: Five Powerful Strategies to Thrive in Your Career and Life! Healing Leadership will transform the way you view your role as a leader, how you lead yourself and contribute to others. It includes 41 industry experts who also share their years of experience and insights with you. Visit www.healigleadership.com to order your copy and download the Companion Workbook, for a limited time only. Fearless Women at Work's sole purpose is to ignite your personal power to pursue the life of your dreams by applying five practical strategies in a unique process named C.A.R.E.S. Get your copy and BONUS Book Club Guide companion today at www.executivebound.com/book. #7 - Read our blog & share it! Keep your mind fresh with ideas. Retool with strategies to navigate challenges at work and in life. And take action that will propel you forward. Knowledge and execution are power. Visit our blog, and if you enjoy the articles, please share them with your friends and colleagues.
About Dr. Ginny A. Baro
Dr. Ginny A. Baro is a sought-after international motivational speaker & leadership coach, a career strategist, and #1 bestselling author of Fearless Women at Work.
Ginny specializes in partnering with organization to develop leadership teams at all levels of management. And she supports individuals navigating a corporate hierarchy or moving into an entirely new phase of their career. She has successfully facilitated live and virtual leadership training and coaching programs for individuals and Fortune 500 companies with over 140,000 employees and delivered keynotes impacting international audiences larger than 7,000. To learn more, visit ExecutiveBound.
Join our community and receive valuable strategies delivered to your inbox (we don't spam). Read other articles in our blog, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Here's how we help!
Comments