The essence of leadership is the ability to effectively communicate a compelling vision and set the direction for the organization to achieve goals.
Different leaders have very different approaches to communicating their vision and the direction they set for the organization.
During my career, I worked with executives who consistently demonstrated one of three common communication styles.
- Some autocratic leaders were highly directive. Their communication style was one-way, directive, and controlling. For example, “Ron, I need you to completely wrap up this sale by next Friday.”
- Some transactional leaders were contractual. Their communication style was to establish expectations in the form of a contract between leader and follower. For example, “Ron, can you wrap up this sale by next Friday at the latest?”
- Some transformational or servant leaders were concerned not only with dispensing information but ensuring understanding. The objective of their communication style was to establish shared expectations and goals. For example, “Ron, for the unit to meet its quarterly goal, we must have this sale on the books by next Friday. Is there anything I can do to help make that happen?”
When I was a young manager, the communication style I was exposed to the most was autocratic. So, that’s the same style I emulated in my leadership. Over time, though, I became more transactional, establishing expectational “contracts” with my employees. Still, later, as I matured in my leadership, I found the transformational or servant leadership communication style a better fit for me.
4 Attributes of Effective Communication
In their book, Leadership in Christian Perspective, authors Justin Irving and Mark Strauss identify four elements of effective communication common to servant leaders.
1. A Compelling Message Clearly Expressed
Effective communication begins with a compelling message stated simply and clearly. In explaining the Gospel message to the Corinthians, Paul said,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
To be effective, communication must be meaningful, simple, and clear. If the message lacks any of these three components, its effectiveness is lost.
2. Tailored to the Audience
Effective communication is tailored to meet the needs of the intended audience. When Jesus taught the farmers and fishermen around Galilee, he told parables about sowing seeds, harvesting, fishing, herding sheep, and vineyards. These were all terms the people could identify with because they were part of their everyday lives.
The apostle Paul was equally adept at tailoring his message to his audience. When he spoke before the Jewish leaders in the synagogue, his message centered on promises and covenants of the Old Testament made by God to the people of Israel (Acts 13:13-52).
However, when Paul addressed the Greek philosophers on Mars Hill in Athens, his message began by relating to the gods they worshipped, then declaring the one true God (Acts 17:22-34).
To be effective, communication must be tailored to meet the audience’s felt needs using terms and situations that resonate with them.
3. Good Listening Skills
To tailor your message to the audience, you must first understand them. But, to understand the audience, you need to listen to them! One of our worst habits is that we are so eager to get our next point out that we aren’t listening to what the other person is saying. We don’t hear their words or notice their tone.
For example, someone who meekly says, “I don’t understand this,” is saying something very different than the red-faced, veins popping out of their neck person, who shouts, “I don’t understand this,” as they pound their fists on your desk!
Writing to fellow believers, James admonished them to be good listeners. He said,
“…take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19).
Effective listeners listen for understanding first, then speak, and importantly, they keep their emotions in check!
Being effective in our communication means maintaining a thorough understanding of our audience—this comes from listening to them well.
4. Benefits the Individual
The final element of effective communication is to deliver a message in a way that benefits the individual. If we are commending good work, we deliver an encouraging message that builds the person up.
Writing to the Ephesians, Paul said,
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).
If we are correcting or criticizing, we speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). In a similar vein, writing to the Colossians, Paul said our conversation should always be full of grace (Colossians 4:6). Words, carefully chosen, will build another person up even when offering correction or criticism.
Simply put, to be effective, communication must ultimately be of benefit to the listener.
Servant Leaders Depend on Effective Communication
Servant leaders utilize the transformational communication style. Our goal is to establish shared expectations and goals.
A leader can communicate a vision and set direction effectively when the leader:
- Delivers a message that is clearly expressed,
- That is tailored to the audience,
- Reflects good listening skills, and
- Benefits the listener.
When these elements are present, the servant leader’s communication will lead to shared expectations and goals.
More Articles
I have written several articles on communication skills. You can find them by typing “communication skills” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are two of my favorites.
- #395: When Is the Best Time for A Leader to Ask Questions?
- #162: How Distrust, Conjecture, and Hasty Actions Lead to Disaster
- #058: 21 Habits of Incredibly Successful Salespeople
- #040: What Did You Say? I Wasn’t Listening!
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Which of these four elements of effective communication do you think is most important? Which is most challenging to do regularly?
I’d love your help. This blog is read primarily because of people like you who share it with friends. Would you be kind enough to share it by pressing the share button?
Category: Skills | Communication Skills
I think I’ve dabbled in all three styles but leaned on a transformational approach as I matured in leadership. I couldn’t help but think about Elon Musk and his Twitter adventure. Wonder which leadership approach he’ll lean on?
Ha! I had to laugh about your Musk and Twitter comment! I suspect, in the early days, his leadership leaned heavily on the autocratic style. For the strength of the ongoing business and the morale of the organization, I hope he would balance that with a servant leadership style.