Why does a good leader have to be a good communicator?
Becoming a good leader is a journey, not a destination. What do all good leaders have in common? They master the art of communication. Understanding the importance of communication is essential to your success as a leader.
By obtaining a Master of Arts in organizational leadership from Charleston Southern, you will enhance your ability to communicate effectively. The program will push you out of your comfort zone, helping you grow as a leader.
Build Trust
Building trust starts with honest communication. Leaders who can communicate with integrity will enhance the morale of the office and develop a positive work environment.
If employees can trust their leader has the group’s best interest at heart, they will work with greater confidence. This confidence will spread throughout the organization, leading to greater productivity. The key to this piece of communication is honesty.
Prevent Miscommunication
Honest communication also prevents internal miscommunication. As a leader, there is nothing worse than having information floating around the office that contains only a portion of the truth.
By communicating often and openly, a leader can avoid losing control due to misinterpretation. At the same time, overcommunication can work against a leader if the information is incorrect. Good communication requires accurate information.
Enhance Collaboration
A good communicator can drive productive conversations. This is important because a successful team must be able to collaborate.
Good leaders direct conversations rather than dominate them. To collaborate effectively and efficiently, the communication from the leader must be honest and direct.
If a leader fails to communicate with integrity, the rest of the group will not feel comfortable sharing their opinions while collaborating. This can be detrimental to the success of the organization.
Organizational Alignment
Each of the points above play a role in organizational alignment. Building a team on trust, honest communication, and efficient collaboration will positively impact each member’s alignment within the organization.
A good leader will communicate the company’s values and act accordingly. Leaders cannot expect the group to act in alignment with the organization if they do not exhibit these values in their actions. An aligned organization is mutually beneficial for everyone involved. Employee satisfaction rises; management becomes smooth, and executives are pleased by production.
Those who figure out how to grow in the communication department will experience more success than those who view communication as nonessential. Organization alignment begins with the organization’s values.
A good leader effectively communicates these values to the rest of the group. The communication must be honest and open. Group success will depend on the leader’s ability to limit misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page. Being a good communicator alone does not make you a good leader, but a good leader must be a good communicator.
Cody Gray is a graduate assistant for the football program at Charleston Southern University. He has worked in college athletics for three years and is currently working toward attaining a Master of Arts in organizational leadership.
