Travis Bradberry, the author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0, believes nobody can be a great leader before they are a great communicator.
I 100% agree with Travis. The 21st century is the time of communication and if you don't have a firm grasp of all these principles then you can't be truly motivational or inspirational.
Great leaders connect with people on an emotional level every time they speak. Their words inspire others to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Great communicators deliver a powerful message and Travis Bradberry shares his 10 secrets with us. Put them to work in your communication and watch your influence soar.
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Know your audience
Great communicators don’t worry about sounding important, showing off their expertise, or boosting their own egos. Instead, they think about what people need to hear, and how they can deliver this message so that people will be able to hear it. This doesn’t mean that leaders tell people what they want to hear. Quite the opposite—they tell people what’s important for them to know, even if it’s bad news.
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Be a body language expert
Great communicators are constantly tracking people’s reactions to their message. They are quick to pick up on cues like facial expressions and body language because they know this is the only feedback many people will give them. Great communicators use this expertise to tailor their message on the fly and adjust their communication style as needed.
Emotional intelligence ties in with your performance.
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Be honest
The best leaders know that for communication to be effective it has to be real. It's the best way to build a relationship based on trust with the general public and clients.
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Be authentic
Great communicators don’t try to be someone they’re not just because they’ve stepped behind a podium. There’s a reason Mark Zuckerberg presented Facebook to investors in a hoodie and jeans. They realise the importance of unity. They stay true to who they are, people gravitate to their message.
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Speak with authority
Great communicators don’t try to cover their backs by being ambiguous. They stick their necks out and speak very directly about how things are and how they need to be.
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Speak to groups as individuals
Leaders rarely have the luxury of speaking to one person at a time. Whether it’s a huddle around a conference table or an overflowing auditorium, great leaders know how to work the room and make every single person feel as if he or she is being spoken to directly.
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Have your ears (and use them)
Great leaders know that what they hear is often more important than what they say. When someone else is speaking, great communicators aren’t thinking ahead and planning what they’ll say next. Instead, they’re actively listening, fully focused on understanding the other person’s perspective.
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Use phrases like "It's my fault", "I was wrong" and "I'm sorry"
When great leaders make a mistake, they admit it right away. They don’t wait for someone else to find and point out their blunder. They model accountability and they do it matter-of-factly, without drama or false humility.
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Solicit feedback
The best communicators never assume that the message people heard is the exact same one they intended to deliver. They check in to verify that their message was understood correctly, and, if it was not, they don’t blame the audience. Instead, they change things up and try again.
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Be proactive
Leaders with the best communication skills give clear, concise goals and directions so people don’t waste their time heading in the wrong direction.
Great communicators stand out from the crowd. They’re honest. They’re authentic. They listen. They excel in communication because they value it. And that’s the critical first step to becoming a great leader.
English article : http://www.inc.com/travis-bradberry/10-communication-secrets-of-great-leaders.html
About Travis Bradberry
Co-author of Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and President at TalentSmart
Award-winning co-author of the best-selling book, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, and the co-founder of TalentSmart — a consultancy that serves more than 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies.
His bestselling books have been translated into 25 languages and are available in more than 150 countries. Bradberry has written for, or been covered by, Newsweek, BusinessWeek, Fortune, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and the Harvard Business Review.
