Dianna Booher's Communication Tip of the Month
Communication Tip of the Month 
January 2010 
The Voice of Authority by Dianna Booher 
The Voice
of Authority
10 Communication Strategies Every Leader Needs to Know

(McGraw-Hill)
by Dianna Booher

Your Opportunity to Lead

It happened again…another year ended, and a new one has begun. Next week, President Obama will give his State of the Union address. It’s also a great time to examine your communication practices. What’s working? What needs some work?

How do you know if you’re any good as a communicator? By the results you get as a response--or don’t. You either clarify or confuse. You either motivate or demoralize. You either gain buy-in or generate distrust.

With paper swirling on every desk, email inboxes overflowing, iPhones, Droids, and Blackberries beeping and buzzing incessantly, what do people mean by statements like, “There’s just no communication around here”?

If you can answer that question--and do something about it--you can create meaningful conversation. You can change things.

Leaders understand the difference between the volume of communication and its significance. Your opportunity to lead is your ability to use the principles of effective communication to create connections and make things happen.


Start this new year with an honest examination of your own communication strategies. Then implement necessary changes. Your words may not change the course of our nation, but improving your communication awareness, strategies, and skills is under your direct sphere of influence!

These practical tips can serve as a starter list:

  • Implement a suggestion system or team/employee feedback system.
  • Demonstrate a positive, timely response to your feedback system.
  • Encourage opportunities for interacting with team members. Your personal net worth can often be traced to your network.
  • Strive to make your policies and actions consistent with your words.
  • Show genuine concern for and interest in people.
  • Avoid communicating mixed messages. Example:  A manager saying, “Tell me what’s on your mind?” while never stopping to look at the person speaking. Example:  “I’m going to have to suspend you without pay for a day for this because it’s company policy. But personally, I don’t agree with the policy nor do I blame you for how you handled the situation yesterday.”
  • Communicate respect in your body language. (Disrespectful: Rolling your eyes in a meeting when you disagree. Interruptions. Refusing to listen to another viewpoint. Facial expressions that belittle or patronize.)
  • Pay attention to your tone of voice. As with products, advertisements, or food, sometimes the “presentation” (delivery) matters more than the thing (words) itself.
Send your communication questions to AskDianna@booher.com,
and I'll respond in this newsletter or in my blog,
Booher Banter
.

Upcoming Public Workshops


Strategic Writing™ Workshop

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

February 8-9, 2010

Presentations That Work®

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

February 10-11, 2010

Register online, or see the complete 2010 Public Workshop Schedule.


Booher Recommends

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Kari Gates, Editor



















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