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Great companies grow their leaders
Posted on March 23rd, 2010 24 commentsWe live in an interesting world, don’t we?Companies it seems, are rising and falling faster than ever before. Technology, globalization and the speed of communication has totally changed the workplace environment. Yet even in these fickle times, some companies and brands endure. More than that, they thrive and excel. They innovate and set the pace of change.What makes them so successful? The difference? Their leadership and communication style. Great companies effectively communicate and grow their leaders faster than their competition and the speed of change.
What does this mean for you and your company? It means communicating carefully, transparently and frequently. Staff and stakeholders want to know the truth and can find out information quickly and from many sources.
Your role as a leader is to understand that everything you say and do communicates something - including what you’re NOT saying. Growing effective leaders who communicate effectively in your organization will take commitment and a clear, simple strategy. Here are three simple strategies for growing great leaders and generating smooth communication in your organization:
Strategy 1
- Do everything possible to challenge, grow and stimulate up and coming talent. Whether it’s giving them special projects, assigning them to new divisions or investing in their management, operational, marketing and leadership training.
Strategy 2
- Find other senior leaders inside or outside your company to mentor your potential leaders. This will expose your talent to leadership thinking and behaviour. Every elite athlete has a strong coach behind them holding them accountable and keeping them on track - treat your talent like an athlete in training.
Strategy 3
- Teach your future leaders how to communicate with clarity and power.
What strategies have you employed in your business or with your team to ensure you are growing your leaders and future leaders? I’d love to hear about your successes and challenges.
Yours in prosperity, passion and purpose
Heidi Alexandra Pollard
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Personal Communication
Posted on July 21st, 2009 1 commentPersonal communication is one of the most common aspects of our human conversations. Personal conversations are an essential facet in almost every one of our relationships. And one might say that the quality of those relationships is dependent upon our abilities to verbally communicate.
I have discovered in the past few weeks through my own life just how powerful interpersonal communication skills can be in shaping our personal relationships. Even as the “Communicator’s Coach” I don’t always get it right and lately I have had some doosies. So I thought I would go back to the basics and refresh for my own purposes my five key foundations for effectively building upon and improving your personal communication skills.
Foundation #1: Be interesting and interested - know what’s going on in the world around you, keep up to date with current events and trends, as well as your personal hobbies and other interests that you can share or ask questions about during personal conversations.
Foundation #2: Develop great listening skills and know when to speak and when to listen. As a rule I believe in the Pareto principle - speak for 20% of the time, listen for the other 80%.
Foundation #3: Be fully present - make and maintain eye contact with the other person while speaking and listening. Turn away from the computer, television or any distractions so you can be there 100% with the other person.
Foundation #4: Audience centric - use language in your conversation that is familiar to your listener, don’t use fancy words or terms just to show off! Learn some basic body language it will help you to read whether they are understanding and in rapport with you or not.
Foundation #5: Be real - be genuine, show and express an interest in what the other person is saying. Try to turn down the little voice in your own head and instead focus your attention on the other person, rather than on yourself.
Personal communication skills are one of the most powerful and strategic assets you can possess. People with effective communication skills have a real strategic advantage for business, relationship and social success.
If you would like to learn more about becoming more effective in personal and business communications, please contact Heidi Alexandra Pollard, The Communicator’s Coach today through her website at http://www.leadingvalue.net or http://www.boostyourcareer.com.au or by email at heidi@leadingvalue.net
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