Climbing the corporate ladder isn’t easy. Every executive who has done it knows that fact, and those on the way to the C-suite know it too. It takes gumption, grit, discipline, dedication and the right skill set to succeed. One of the most important skills you can master to achieve this success is communication—the ability to effectively convey your ideas and opinions in a way that resonates with colleagues, clients and other stakeholders. Communication is everything. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why communication is key for executives who want to rule the corporate jungle and how they can develop their skills to get ahead.
The Power of Words
Words have immense power—in their sounds, their connotations and their nuanced meanings. They can motivate or demotivate; inspire or discourage; unite or divide; create trust or create distrust; inform or misinform. As an executive, you must learn how to use language effectively to get your point across and build relationships with others. Communicating effectively inspires confidence in yourself as a leader and helps you move up the corporate ladder faster than ever before. It also boosts others’ perception of you as a strong executive with excellent leadership skills.
Lean into your inner lion (they are known for their guiding roles in their prides). Lions inspire and motivate their followers to make strategic decisions—decisions that improve their position in the jungle and ensure their survival and ability to thrive. Executives should do the same using sharpened communication skills. This ability is crucial for conveying their vision and expectations to their team effectively.
Embrace Difficult Conversations
No one likes having difficult conversations, but they come with the territory when you reach senior leadership level within a company or organization. It’s important that you, as an executive, learn how to embrace difficult conversations rather than shy away from them—whether it’s having uncomfortable talks with employees about performance issues or negotiating difficult deals with potential partners or clients. Learning how to navigate these conversations gracefully will be key to success as an executive leader in any organization.
Adapt like a lion (they constantly adapt to changing circumstances, such as when they need to defend their territory or find new prey). This isn’t too different for executives. There’s always a fire to put out. A problem that needs solving. A new vision to be executed, refined and deployed again. Strong communication is key to adaptability. It’s the perfect two-way street with employees, communities and stakeholders to ensure everyone’s needs are met along the way. It also allows executives to stay informed about changing circumstances and to respond quickly to new challenges or opportunities.
Listen First, Speak Later
Listening is just as important as the ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Paying attention allows us to understand what others are saying and respond in an informed manner. When someone else finishes speaking, take a few moments before responding—this will give you time to think about what has been said and formulate a thoughtful response rather than simply blurt out whatever comes into your head first. Taking this extra step will show people that you value their input and will make them more likely to trust your decisions moving forward.
Focus like a lion. Lions are known for their focus and determination when hunting. They communicate their expectations and focus on getting their desired results. Executives must do the same to succeed. Strong communication skills can help executives stay focused and on track by providing clear goals and priorities and by keeping team members informed and aligned. It’s crucial to write, speak and present well when in a leadership position. If you don’t have the time to become great at all three, consider hiring a ghostwriting or executive communications agency to partner with and help you accomplish your goals.
The best communicators convey power and strength. There is something magnetic about them—even if they aren’t naturally charismatic or majestic. Communicating well is a key component of power and influence. It helps build strong relationships, influence others and command respect in the workplace.
Effective communication is essential for executives who want to succeed in business today; it’s not enough to have great ideas if you don’t know how to express them clearly and concisely! By mastering communication “Beast Mode”—listening intently before speaking thoughtfully, embracing difficult conversations gracefully and understanding the power of words—you can make sure that your message gets heard loud and clear by those around you so that together you can all work toward a shared goal. With strong communication skills, nothing stands between you and success!
Contact us today to learn how we can help you communicate phenomenally.
