Simon Sinek: Bad communicators can't be good leaders

Even the best ideas and strategies can't succeed if nobody understands them. That's why good leaders have to be good communicators who are able to promote their ideas and win support of the people around them (as well as those above them).

How specifically can you use communication to become a better leader?

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Simon Sinek, the popular expert on leadership, was asked this question by the British Management Today website.

Simon Sinek has become famous thanks to his book entitled Start With Why (Penguin Group, 2011) which became a bestseller and the basis for one of the most successful TED talks of all time. In 2015, he wrote a second successful book Leaders Eat Last (Penguin Group, 2014).

He says that leaders who want to improve should be aware of following a broader context of communication.

1. Communication isn't only what you say or write

It is the actions and decisions of the leaders that tell their employees what they should think of their leaders. Therefore, consider more thoroughly what signals could be sent by your actions. Don't be afraid to ask your people. The art of listening is also very important and your people will appreciate it.

2. Your people need to feel psychologically safe

A leader's good communication with employees occurs in short but frequent loads. Employees need to feel psychologically safe at work and able do their best. It's about creating a working environment where people care for one another.

3. Focus on those who are interested

You can't persuade everybody to support your idea. You can, of course, always adapt the way you communicate your message with regard to specific recipients, but this only works to a certain extent. Some people simply can't be convinced and aren't worth wasting your time on. Focus on those who support your innovations.

"It’s the law of diffusion of innovations. I don’t care about the majority, I care about the early adopters and innovators. If I can get 15-18% of them to see things a certain way, there’s a tipping point and everyone comes along," says Simon Sinek.

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Article source Management Today - website of a UK management magazine
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