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Leadership Lesson #7 is the vital role of expert communication skills in achieving success as a leader. Most of us have heard about the importance of well-developed communication skills so many times that we take them for granted. Yet the ability to communicate effectively is one of the most underrated leadership skills.
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Surdek (2017) agrees, noting that leaders don't always realize the impact of their language when talking with their teams. You can do many things with language, from empowering people to generating new possibilities. Indeed, Myatt (2012) suggests that if you examine the world's greatest leaders, you will find that all are exceptional communicators. That's because they talk about their ideas in a way that speaks to the emotions and aspirations of others. They also realize that if their message "does not take deep root with the audience then it likely won't be understood, much less championed" (para. 2).
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So what makes someone a great orator? Greene (2014) says that for John F. Kennedy (JFK), it was passion and authenticity; a voice tone that included variation in pace (sometimes fast, sometimes slow) as well as variation in volume (sometimes loud, sometimes soft) and pitch; great vocal punctuation and dramatic, yet natural, pauses; body language that was warm and accessible, strong and determined, yet playful and relaxed, all at the right time; and finally—a laser compelling message. JFK's speeches also built on ethos, the notion that identifying with the values and beliefs of the audience creates a sense of community and trust (Glover, 2011).
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"MOST LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF POOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT; BUT NOT ALL LEADERS APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION SKILLS FOR LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT."
-Phillip Decker and Jordan Mitchell (2017, para. 8)
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For Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), it was authenticity (his life was consistent with his rhetoric), and his emotion emerged naturally from his genuinely intense belief in his message. MLK also used vivid illustrations that business and professional leaders could relate to easily as well as simple, clear, language—forming catchy, attention-riveting word contrasts and combinations (Lampton, n.d.). In addition, his message sustained magnetism, because his theme was consistent and unwavering.
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MLK also employed metaphors: He used "my dream" to stand for a much larger vision of the future. He also brought in the element of pathos, suggesting that he might not live long enough to see that future, which brought his audience closer to him emotionally (Glover, 2011).
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The ability to use vivid illustrations, coin creative words and phrases, use classical techniques that emphasize logic and lyrical rhythm, and deliver believable messages with charisma and conviction is an "art." Exceptional speakers leave listeners wanting more. For most of us, becoming a powerful orator is a long-term goal—gaining these skills takes a great deal of work and practice as well as some natural ability. But being a truly great communicator requires much more than ...