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Good news. It is relatively straightforward. You can start immediately. It costs little to nothing (but for your focused energy). If you want to lead with impact, you need to master the fundamentals: communication.

Now, to be fair, there鈥檚 a lot under that umbrella. It鈥檚 a multifaceted skill that requires adept, in-the-moment, authentic attitudes and behaviors. You need to be able to articulate your vision and expectations unequivocally. You need to inspire people to say 鈥淵es!鈥� to the priorities you have outlined. You need to align those efforts in the pursuit of your organization鈥檚 goals. You need to navigate thorny, emotional issues to reach consensus, or at least resolution. You need to ignite your team鈥檚 creative problem-solving. You need to bring people together to work as a team. You need to demonstrate respect and build trust. These are not soft skills 鈥� they are human skills.

Most professionals find themselves in leadership roles as a result of excelling in their respective area of expertise. The pathway to leadership was likely about proving technical competency, yet leadership effectiveness is about inspiring results.

When there are communication misfires, not only do you not get the progress you are seeking, but likely your relationships take a hit. Done repeatedly, you may erect unintended barriers that hinder your capacity to lead.

If you are ready to level up your leadership and enhance your influence, you can start by putting into practice any one of these communication skills:

Lead with empathy

Pay attention to the emotions, needs, and perspectives of others. Bring a genuine care and concern for the individuals on your team. There is a tremendous transformation that happens when you hold space to hear and see other human beings for who they are and for what they yearn.

There is growing evidence that empathetic leaders are most effective in engaging staff and positively impacting loyalty, creativity, and teamwork (Fast Company, Work Smart). Professor Diane Compton of Gonzaga University states, 鈥淓mpathy is a universal team value that promotes high commitment and cooperation in the workplace.鈥�

Actively listen

Slow your pace and be present to fully engage with your team. The investment of time, the skill of asking clarifying questions, the value of summarizing the main points and the art of hearing what is really being said will launch your leadership into new realms. Leaders who actively listen find they have fewer communication breakdowns, better alignment, and greater efficiencies.

Speak with clarity and specificity

Simplify messages, not because your team isn鈥檛 smart, but because you need to cut through the clutter and noise that exists in everyone鈥檚 busy worlds. Resist the urge to speak in business jargon. Speak to what you want to see happen and provide enough specifics that the picture of the desired outcome is vividly painted.

Provide context

Explain 鈥渨hat鈥� in the context of 鈥渨hy.鈥� If you are rolling out a new initiative, share why it is important to the firm and how team members can contribute. Provide compelling reasons in context of what matters to them so they can feel excited about their involvement.

Be transparent

Be honest about what is going on. When employees feel in the loop, not only do they feel respected for being included, but they may have helpful ideas to offer. And they are less likely to conjure up an inaccurate story if they are equipped with the right information.

Be consistent

People will know what to expect of you, thereby building your trustworthiness. A volatile leader generates unpredictable behaviors resulting in confused and overly cautious employees.

Adapt your style

You don鈥檛 have to be a chameleon, but you will want to be flexible in how you communicate. By tailoring your approach to your audience, you will be more effective in getting your message across and in honoring their communication style. Several of my clients have tapped into the DISC assessment tool to better understand their styles with eye-opening, relationship-building results!

Raise your emotional intelligence

Communication is not just about relaying information. It鈥檚 about creating connections. To strengthen your emotional adeptness, start by simply paying attention. Notice emotions in the workplace 鈥� yours and your team鈥檚. By recognizing emotional energy, you can know when and how to address issues. Developing emotional agility can help you tap into motivation and build strong rapport.

Acknowledge and appreciate

A simple gesture that recognizes the effort and impact someone has had is a powerful way to lead. If you observe someone learning a new concept or skill or stretching outside their comfort zone to grow their potential, take a moment to acknowledge it. Genuine appreciation strengthens commitment. And positive reinforcement clarifies your expectations while building good habits!

Ultimately, leadership is about investing in relationships. The quality of our relationships is reflected in the quality of our conversations. Anne Morrow Lindbergh captured it well when she said, 鈥淕ood communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.鈥� And you can begin right where you are 鈥� one conversation at a time.

Maybe it鈥檚 time to take a colleague out for coffee to level up your leadership with a commitment to practicing your new communication skills!

Lead on!

Karen Natzel is a business therapist who helps leaders create healthy, vibrant and high-performing organizations. Contact her at 503-806-4361 or [email protected].

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed in the preceding commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Daily Journal of Commerce or its editors. Neither the author nor the 91视频 guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information published herein.