Becoming An Effective
Leadership Communicator
Juanita J. Daly
Executive Operations Director
Agape Family Worship Center
Regent University
Doctorate of Strategic Leadership Student
Why ELC? Because it will increase our understanding of both leadership a nd
communication and foster more effective and authentic collabora tion
here at Agape.
You can use this anywhere you communicate
Seminar Agenda •What is Effective Leadership Communication
•Skill Development Activity
•How do we become Effective Leadership Communicators
What is Communication Communication is a two‐way process involving speaking and liste ning
and ensuring the message is understood.
Communication Breakdown
?
On average, what percentage of time do you spend communicating
Answer:
________
Communication Breakdown
Listening
45%
Speaking
30%
Reading
16%
Writing
9%
Communication
In communicating an average of 45% of the time is
spent listening compared to 30% speaking, 16%
reading and 9% writing (Adler, 2001).
INEFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION? •Briefly recall an example of ineffective leadership communicati on. Jot
it down for future reference.
Listening Activity
Listening Quotes •“Patient listening is the doorway to superior leadership” Eskar os
(2004)
•“Listening is the neglected communication skill. All leaders ha ve had
instruction in reading, writing, and speaking. But few have had any
formal instruction in listening” Kline (2001).
•“Listening…is hard work… most people think about four times fas ter
than most people can talk” Bush (2005)
•“Listening is a characteristic of a servant leader” Spears (199 5)
•“The first duty of love is to listen” Paul Tillich
•“Lead with your ears” (James 1:19 MSG)
What is EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP
COMMUNICATION? Effective Leadership Communication is the process of developing ,
delivering and sustaining leadership messages as part of regula r
communication.
What is LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION?
What is LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION? Messages from the leader (Pastor, Ministry Leader, etc.) that i s rooted in
Agape’s values and culture and are significant to the overall c hurch and our
stakeholders (community, etc.)
•Affect and affirm the vision and mission
•Used for cultural transformation
•Call to action
•Manages expectations
•Motivates and builds trust
•Grounded in the leader’s character
Developing The Message: Credibility •Speak the truth (given)
•Don’t hide bad news
•Never overpromise (and under deliver)
•Do what you say you will do
•To regain credibility:
•Acknowledge, apologize, and amend
“Credibility is a leader’s currency. With it he or she is solve nt; without it
he or she is bankrupt.” Baldoni, 2003
Developing The Message: Meaning •Why
•Takeaway
•Be precise
•Be concise
•Think first –Begin with the end in mind
•Bounce it off someone
•Brainstorm
Developing The Message: The Four I’s •Leadership Messages:
•Inform
•Involve
•Ignite
•Invite
Developing The Message: Communicating Up •Keep everyone in the loop
•Separate facts from passion
•Persuade when necessary
•Read the signs
•Understand not everyone will like your message
Delivering The Message: Assess the Audience •Know what the audience wants
•Meet audience expectations
•Pre‐empt objections
•Determine the objection
•Acknowledge the issue
•Empathize
•Remind the audience of the shared experience
•Deliver the message
•Open the door for compromise
Delivering The Message: Be Authentic •Be credible
•Reflect the mood
•Be yourself
•Act the part: giving voice to your words and making them come a live
•Make eye contact
•Be mindful of tone and inflection
•Be mindful of body language, gestures
•Take the message seriously, not yourself
Sustaining The Message: Connect Beyond
Words •Engage the audience, they are very intelligent!
•Facilitate Response
•Use interactive tools
The goal is to sustain the message beyond the time of delivery
Sustaining The Message: Coaching Coaching is:
•an investment
•a personal connection between leader and follower
•a key leadership behavior
•a two way and moves people from compliance to commitment
Sustaining The Message: Coaching •Establish trust
•Set expectations
•Teach always
•Problem solve
•Serve to motivate
•Deliver discipline
•Recognize achievement
•Be a mentor
Sustaining The Message: Coaching Coaches should:
•Plan ahead
•Uncover motivators
•Give feedback
•Get commitment
•Follow up
Sustaining the Message: Make Sure It Sticks •Check for understanding
•Brief‐back (ask someone to tell you what you just said)
•Designate an information source (someone who can repeat the mes sage and
provide clarity)Listen
•Leave behind materials (for example this information packet)
•Repeat the message
•Transmit Passion
•Live by example
Sustaining The Message: Storytelling A story can
•Caution
•Reassure
•Inspire Courage and Vision
•Foster Determination
•Encourage Reflection
•Provide Humor
Effective Leadership Communication Takes… •Discipline
•Thought
•Perseverance
•Consistency
•Commitment
•Constancy
Four Types of Leadership Communicators •Expert
•Visionary
•Coach
•Transformer
Take a moment to reflect on a time you filled one of these role s. It’s not
limited to Agape. Jot it down to refer to later.
Every Successful Leader •At heart is an effective leadership communicator
•Can communicate ideas with words
•Listen with their heart
•They lead in thoughts, words, and deeds .
“When a leader keeps everything inside, people are left to thei r own
devices to try and figure out what the leader may, or may not, want.
This is a failure of communications and a failure of leadership .”
(Baldoni, 2003)
References •Adler, R., Rosenfeld, L. and Proctor, R. (2001). Interplay: the process of interpersonal
communicating(8th edn), Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt. Retrieved from:
http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/listening‐skills.html
•Baldoni, J. (2003). Great communication secrets of great leader s. New York: McGraw‐Hill
•Bush, L. (2005). The power of listening. Missiology: An International Review. 33(1), pp.
17‐28.
•Denning, S. (). The secret language of leadership. San Francisco: Jossey‐Bass
•Eskaros, M. G. (2004). Fine‐tune your listening skills. Hydroca rbon Processing, 83(11), 85‐
87.
•Kline, J. (2001). Leaders communicating effectively. Concepts of Air Force Leadership.
Retrieved from: http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/au‐24/kline .pdf
•Spears,L. C. (1995). Reflections on leadership: How Robert K. G reenleaf’s theory of
servant‐leadership influenced today’s top management thinkers. New York: John Wiley.
•Tillich, P. Retrieved from: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/k eywords/listen.html
Congratulations
on becoming Effective
Leadership
Communicators