3 Cs Leaders Must Communicate!

"Of every noble work the silent part is best, Of all expression that which can not be expressed" - William Wetmore Story

What we intend to communicate are the meanings our listeners hear.

Every leader has something to say - yet, how many leaders tell those tales that need to be told?

1) Are leaders using the wrong words?

2) Are their words conveying the wrong things?

3) Do they intentionally mean the wrong things?

I believe our leadership communication problem involves an element of all three.

We hear about leaders in all kinds of endeavors and all walks of life saying they are being:

=> Misinterpreted

=> Misconstrued

=> Misquoted

=> Misunderstood

=> Misrepresented

It's time to focus on the purposes of a leader's speech - we should first ask ourselves 'why' leaders need to communicate before we attempt to understand what they need to say.

Communicate for Clarity! It's Imperative, Important & Immediate, So Say It!

You must

=> Define,

=> Describe

=> Protect

the integrity, consistency and clarity of your own or the collective group's agreed-upon

=> intent, purpose, mission, vision, meanings, beliefs, values, relationships and views

"Truth is the secret of eloquence and of virtue, the basis of moral authority; it is the highest summit of art and of life" - Henri Frédéric Amiel

Clarity is the consistent communication of truth, purpose and integrity!

Communicate for Commitment! Ask for Their Hope, Faith and Acceptance!

To ensure their commitment, you must

-> facilitate, offer, negotiate and orchestrate the quality, quantity and worthiness of your people's

- trust, emotional investments, common bonds, cultural ties, franchise, loyalty, agreements, engagements, obligations, pledges and covenants

Your meanings, words and intentions must include a serious consideration of their

- need for retreat, current positions and stances, their privileges and rights, reputation and goodwill, and craving or hopes for glory.

"Heroism is the brilliant triumph of the soul over the flesh, that is to say over fear: fear of poverty, of suffering, of calumny, of illness, of loneliness and of death. There is no real piety without heroism." - Henri Frédéric Amiel

There is no real heroism without courage. There is no real courage without commitment!

Communicate for Competence! Build It, Strengthen It, Grow It!

Elevate the competence of your people and their work

-> develop, discover, evaluate and strengthen the amount, impact and relevance of the team's

- talents, skills, performances, capabilities, momentum, transcendence, quantum leaps and improvements, capacities, influences, proficiencies, merits, literacy, adaptations and transformations, suitability, deeds or accomplishments, contributions and investments of time, energies and ideas.

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em" - William Shakespeare

The good leader finds and allows greatness to blossom, the better leader encourages greatness to rise-up and assert itself, the greatest leader puts the ordinary into direct contact with greatness!

------------------------------------------------------------

Use these 3 "C"s in your written and oral, formal or informal communications. You'll see others respond to your ideas and follow your instructions with more enthusiasm.

I sometimes advise leaders to state the purpose of their words first, then provide more details to their audience. For example, tell them you want their commitment, then tell them why you need it and what you hope to achieve with it.

When it comes to poor or weak communications, don't be a victim or perpetrator!

Use your leadership opportunities to clearly, passionately and capably communicate your true intentions - you can do it because you want to, you believe you can and you are capable of doing it well!

"Art is a human activity having for its purpose the transmission to others of the highest and best feelings to which men have risen." - Count Leo Tolstoy

Use the art of purposeful leadership communications to elevate, encourage and empower your people to superior levels of performance!

Copyright © 2005, Mustard Seed Investments, Inc., All rights reserved.

------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bill Thomas publishes leadership skills training books, materials & programs like, "Your Leadership-UltraNet!" - this premier Performance Empowerment System helps you think-like, act-like, behave-like, believe-like & manage-like highly effective leaders - Learn more here:
http://www.leadership-toolkit.com/skills.html
------------------------------------------------------------

---

Your Ultimate Leadership Feedback Loop: Their Leadership

Life on our planet flourishes through feedback. If life forms... Read More

F2 Leadership

People don't leave jobs; they leave bosses. -- AnonymousCongratulations. You're... Read More

Leadership A Perspective From Tao

Tao Te Ching said to be written by Lao Tzu... Read More

To Be An Effective Leader, Do A Check-up From The Neck Up

Before we can effectively lead anyone, we must take an... Read More

Leadership Is Power: Test Your Ethics

"The payoff for the ethical person is a reputation for... Read More

3 Elements of Leadership Power!

In an article discussing the need for innovative products and... Read More

The Leadership Vacuum

In today's fast moving, ever changing, and highly competitive world... Read More

Be the Samurai Sword

Relationships are constantly facing crisis. Everywhere we look people are... Read More

What Kind of Leader Are You?

You are a leader if someone is following you. This... Read More

The Seven Secrets to New Age Leadership

Did you ever notice that In our American culture, we... Read More

The Power of the Leader Within - The Keys to Martial Arts Life Mastery, Key#1

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"Remember... Read More

The Happy Jar

I just delivered a free speech. I am a great... Read More

Leadership Prep

So you want to be a leader? Or you want... Read More

Leadership for the Successful Entrepreneur!

Why talk about leadership?"Leadership is important whether you a leader... Read More

Value Driver Leadership

CHAPTER 1 ************ VALUEThose qualities regarded by a person or... Read More

Choose Your Best Life: Where Are Your Choices Leading You?

According to the dictionary choice means "to select freely after... Read More

Follow My Leader - To Effect Change, Leaders Must Walk the Talk!

A leader's roleIn any change project, a leader must wear... Read More

Having Fun In Leadership

"Don't measure your life by your goals, but rather by... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 5, Dominant Participants

While dominant participants contribute significantly to the success of a... Read More

You Make The Difference

What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More

Dont Be a Complainer

Complaining. There's room for legitimate complaining, but if you let... Read More

Leadership Activity: How Leadership Agenda, Strategy, and Behaviors Shape Your Success!

"Forward, as occasion offers. Never look round to see whether... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 1, General Strategies for Unproductive Behavior

It happens easily. You're conducting a meeting and suddenly a... Read More

3 Aspects of Developing Leadership Skills

Everyone knows that great leaders are made, not born. However... Read More

Five Surprisingly Hip Politicial Ideas From Plato

Don't you love politics?Me, neither. But I do like thinking... Read More