If the purpose of communication is to achieve understanding or to create new or better awareness, then for senior leaders, it is critical that the message is clear and compelling.
Communicating vision for senior leaders becomes increasingly difficult because they have less direct contact with their team.
Senior Leader Influence
How do leaders of large organizations influence with little direct contact?
As leaders of large organizations, Commanding Generals understand the art and importance of communication and getting others to spread their message.
For example, here's how the Commanding General (CG) of 270 on-campus leadership training programs known as ROTC communicated his vision throughout the U.S.:
The ROTC programs were members of 13 different Brigades, who in turn were part of three different Regions.
This required the CG to communicate his vision to leaders of these Regions and Brigades, who in turn would convey the message to 270 separate ROTC battalions.
Region and Brigade Commanders then communicated his vision so that each of the 270 ROTC programs received the same message.
To ensure consistency, the CG repeated his message at regional conferences and did a "spot check" during various visits with Brigades.
Effective Workplace Communication
Since the purpose of communication is to achieve understanding or to create new or better awareness, effective workplace communication demands that you convey your message successfully throughout the organization.
Imagine what would happen if key leaders did not "buy-in" to your message or they merely retransmitted your words without communicating your intent. Your message would be lost in translation. When key leaders accept the message as their own, they pass on the message as it was intended.
As organizations grow, senior leaders have to exercise increasingly effective communication skills in order influence the key leaders who have direct contact with so many others.
Leadership is about Influence
Before leaders can communicate their vision and get everyone to work toward achieving corporate goals, they have to be able to influence. This is all about leadership.
Actions determine a leader's ability to influence. Once you have set the example by living your corporate values, you can communicate purpose more effectively with a clear and compelling vision statement.
Vision
Communicate your vision with passion so that key leaders "buy-in," accept your message as if it were their own, and convey your message throughout your organization.
You can find a great example of a vision, mission statement, and corporate values by reading, Nuts: Southwest Airline's Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success, by Kevin & Jackie Freiberg.
Author Resource:-
Tom Crea has been developing leaders for more than 25 years. If you would like to know more about a values-based approach to leading, building, and improving communication within your team, contact Tom at http://www.all-about-leadership.com/coaching-a-leader.html .
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