Everything about you speaks.

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As leaders, we tend to focus a great deal on words – spoken and written.  Indeed, words are critical forms of communication.  But they are only a part of the communication equation.  Other things about you speak even louder than your words.  Your tone says more.  Your facial expression and body position say more.  Your actions say more.  

Your physical appearance also speaks volumes.  Do you look pulled together, composed and sharp?  Or do you look a little frayed around the edges, unkempt or stressed? Studies show that these things are powerful shapers of your leadership brand and image.  And in times of change or crisis, your physical appearance communicates how well you are navigating and coping with the change. This impacts the confidence that others have in your ability to effectively lead in a dynamic environment.

Remember that when you enter a room, you are speaking long before a word leaves your mouth.  Everything about you speaks. Today, take stock in what your body language, actions and physical appearance are saying about you.  Are they conveying the right message?

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Remember the WHY

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As leaders, we are constantly communicating.  In fact, effective communication is one of the core competencies and responsibilities of every good leader.  Funny how often it is overlooked or taken for granted.

The only way a leader can truly win the hearts and minds of others is to help them understand not only the task at hand (the “what”) and the strategies to accomplish it (the “how”), but also the overarching purpose (the “why”).  The “why” is what gives meaning and motivation to the task.  It helps people see themselves in the story and have a sense of fulfillment about what they’re doing every day.

In a culture that focuses on execution (getting things done), you may be inclined to dive into a task without taking stock of the bigger picture. As urgent as the task or directive might be, step back and ask yourself if you have clearly explained the overarching purpose and benefit of it.  In other words, have you explained why it matters?  In a few short sentences, you can add important context and meaning that could make the difference between an average result and an exceptional one. 

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Don’t give up on yourself.

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It’s a tough time to be a leader.  Pressure is coming at you from all angles.  You’re dealing with a highly complex communication environment, a workforce that’s hard to keep motivated and satisfied, a competitive landscape that is changing by the minute, and insatiable investor demands for immediate and ever-increasing returns.  No doubt, it can be daunting.

You might be thinking, maybe I’m not the right person for this job.  In fact, you’d be surprised how many leaders have dark moments of self-doubt.  As a leader, you know you must project confidence and conviction so you can inspire them in others.  But still, that nagging fear creeps into your psyche every now and then.

Before you throw in the towel, remember that you are in this position for a reason, and that people are counting on you to persevere in the tough times.  Your grit will set an example for others to follow.  Stay true to your deepest beliefs and the course you have set.  And, if you feel you need additional support, seek the advice of people you respect and consider engaging a coach.

You might be thinking, “No one taught me how to do this!”  And if you’re in the majority, you’re right.  But that doesn’t mean you don’t have the right stuff to succeed as a leader.

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Find Your Story

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Human beings relate to stories.  That’s a fact, and it dates back to the days of cavemen.  Before we had any formal means to communicate, stories were used to teach, pass down family heritage and motivate others to act.  Even ancient hieroglyphics told stories!

In business and in life, storytelling is a powerful tool to connect with people.  We each have our own unique life experience, our own unique stories. The key is to mine them, practice them, and use them to convey important messages, deepen relationships and hold an audience.  There’s nothing like a good story to break up the monotony of a traditional presentation that’s loaded with data.  It brings your interaction to a deeper human level, where others view as a real person, not just a presenter, an executive or whatever label they’ve given you.

We can also tell the stories of others.  The news is a great source of interesting stories of heroism, overcoming challenges, teamwork and other themes that can inspire and engage others.

So what’s your story?  Today, think about the experiences you’ve had that can become part of your communication arsenal!

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March 2014: Beware of selective disclosure.

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As a leader, your job is to help ensure your people are as productive as possible.  Many leaders forget that there is a direct link between communication and productivity, and that they are often the gatekeeper who decides whether to share, withhold or selectively disclose information.

Absent information, people try to fill in the blanks for themselves, which fuels the rumor mill and becomes counterproductive.  There will always be some form of speculation, but the more disclosive you are and the more trust you build, the less distracting that rumor mill will be.

Some leaders withhold or selectively disclose information to build or maintain power over others.  As long as this intent and behavior exist, you will have trust issues in your organization.  Resist the urge to withhold information because it makes you feel powerful. Remember that to go from good to great, you need your people to be empowered and armed with as much information as possible so they can carry out the tasks at hand.  You’re looking for that extra mile -- that discretionary effort -- and free-flowing information helps you achieve that goal.