Improvement of Leadership Communication - Research Paper Example

Importance of Communication Table of Contents Importance of Communication Table of Contents 2 Evaluation Of Own Communication 4 Improvement of Leadership Communication 5 Leader’s Communication Styles in Global Environment 8 Role of Leadership Communication Style in Cross-Cultural Communication 10 Conclusion 12 Works Cited 13 Bibliography 15 15 Communication is one of the vital aspects for successful leadership. Majority of leaders’ tasks is based on communication with the followers. Communication results in good leader-follower relationship which is vital for organizational effectiveness. It can increase the satisfaction level of customers as well as helps to retain followers. Each follower can inspire others and they can also be inspired by the leader. Good communication skill successfully sends a clear message by way of oral, written or non–verbal method. It avoids any kind of confusion among followers. Confusion can lead to less productivity and conflict among team members. Communication not just means sharing information, but also good listening and writing skills. These are also part of communication. Listening to the followers can help to actively manage any difficulty which may arise in an organization. A leader can understand the requirements of followers and thus effectively lead them by fulfilling their needs. If the followers realize that their words are provided with due attention by the leader, they will be likely to communicate more efficiently. As a consequence, the leader-follower relationship will become strong (Mayfield & Mayfield, “The Role of Leader-Follower Relationships in Leader Communication”). There are certain techniques for communicating with the followers. The manners, gestures, and verbal impressions always matter on the personality of a leader. A casual communication can lead to bad impression about leadership and thus, a serious expression is needed while making statement towards the followers. The anger or the satisfaction can be communicated by the non-verbal actions and these are very effective for maintaining an operative association between the leader and the follower (Mayfield & Mayfield, “The Role of Leader-Follower Relationships in Leader Communication”). Proper leader behavior is required to support leader–follower relationship. Communication ensues in the framework of a certain leader-follower relationship. It is not an autonomous procedure of transmission of information. Poor manners can counteract good communication. Communication will be ineffective without positive leader-follower relationship. The behavior of leader can facilitate the communication. In an organization, a leader must be nominated on the basis of communication abilities and relationship building talents. In simple words, only conversation is insufficient; leader should also be capable of keeping the communication real and express encouraging behavior towards follower. Deprived behavior is regarded as a hindrance in communication (Mayfield & Mayfield, “The Role of Leader-Follower Relationships in Leader Communication”). Evaluation Of Own Communication As communication is a cooperative procedure, the evaluation must consider the decision of trained evaluator along with the impression of followers who are involved in the communication process. It comprises of self-report of the leader being evaluated. The evaluation of communication must be able to differentiate with the talking and listening from interpretation and writing skills. Though major part of evaluation is in the form of verbal communication, it also contains the interpretation and writing ability. The technique of evaluation must be reliable with the measurement of communication. The leadership communication can be evaluated by actual performance in collective atmosphere. The tools for evaluating communication must define the level of proficiency. It must be able to clearly recognize the responses (National Communication Association, “Criteria for Oral Assessment”). Communication is highly reliant on the situational aspects. There are several techniques for evaluating the communication. For example, comprehensive tests, individual evaluation of speech performance, language evaluation scales, language supremacy survey, language facility tests, language abilities communication tasks, evaluation of basic speaking skills test, evaluation of basic listening skills test, measurement of communication aptitude and test of pubescent language among others. The feedback of employees and followers can also help to judge the effectiveness of communication. A positive feedback from superiors and subordinates can prove that leader has strong communication skill to motivate the followers (Rubin & Et. Al., “A Review And Critique Of Procedures For Assessing Speaking And Listening Skills Among Preschool Through Grade Twelve Students”). Improvement of Leadership Communication Leadership communication helps to develop individual association among leaders and followers. Leader-follower relation can be formed by coaching. Coaching allows leaders to provide support to the followers and develop trust in the relationship. There are several ways to develop good leadership communication: 1. Effective communication calls for positive obligation and commendation of leaders towards followers. Only developing a vision or formulating value for individuals is not enough, leaders need to act in such a way which is reliable with the code they are promising. 2. In organizations, the incorporation amid internal and external communication is essential. Leader’s statement to the followers must incorporate with management’s pledge to the customers, the clients and the community as a whole. 3. The timing is crucial factor for effective communication. Leader needs to be aware about proper timing while presenting any message. If a message is conveyed at a wrong time it can bother the followers. Leader needs to use appropriate channels that can deliver information at appropriate time. 4. Proper toning is important, as it can express passion towards the followers. Leader needs to maintain tone while communicating any information. Poor toning can reduce the reliability of any message. 5. As communication is regarded as a two way method, it is vital for any leader to capture the feedback of the followers. Feedback can help to understand whether any organized program is going according to the plan or not. 6. Any message that will be communicated must be specified according to listeners’ perspectives. If the listeners find that the information will somehow have impact upon them, they will surely listen to it. 7. Successful communication involves careful preparation, scheduling and detailed attention on the topic before implementation. The participation of follower in communication is compulsory and must be regarded as a part of business. 8. Line managers are effective for communicating any information. It provides a prospect for employees to seek any queries and check that if they have truly comprehended the subjects correctly or not. 9. To ensure good communication, the leader must have direct communication with the followers once in a week albeit there are too many followers of a single leader in an organization. A regular communication can help followers to understand about the significant facets of organization. It provides them a feeling of direction and satisfaction and probably helps them to understand the thoughts of the leader. 10. It is the duty of a leader to ensure that employees are providing regular progress report so that the leader has up-to-date knowledge about the happenings of organization. A leader always listens about the activities of the followers and any kind of up-to-date concerns must be given attention. 11. The ‘grapevine’ is common in every organization. It is the most widespread and consistent method of communication among followers. Leader must seriously consider grapevine because it indicates about the feelings of employees or followers. A good sign in communication appears if followers share their approaches or ideas with the leader. Effective leadership communication can make the employees to engage themselves completely in workplace. It is connected with the resolution of business issues. Communication can help to generate trust among leader-follower relationship (Walker, R., “Strategic Management Communication for Leaders”). Leader’s Communication Styles in Global Environment A leader should be conscious about any nation, the rules and the regulations of the nation, social and administrative occasions and the government’s involvement in nation’s activities. Culture and civilization of a country can impose limitations on a leader’s activities. General beliefs, guidelines and principles can prohibit particular behavior of leader in a particular country. In the global environment, a leader’s behavior becomes obscure since it is channeled by different regulations, principles and mechanisms. Leaders become more operative if they can successfully adjust themselves with the global environment and perform within the global system. The technology also needs to be considered for leadership skill as technology is developed for supporting the progress of global system and it helps to communicate with the world easily and inexpensively. The globalization has transformed the atmosphere of business so as the leadership skills. The forthcoming leaders need to be more flexible and must possess the capability to operate in global environment. Each nation and organization has different communication styles and work principles. Leadership styles differ from individual to individual, company to company and nation to nation. While performing with organizations whose businesses are expanded globally in different counties, leaders need to understand the individual objectives of organization and motivation drivers of organization among others. For example, an organization in the USA might be profit focused, however an organization in the UK might be employee focused. Organizations of the USA might have different customer bases than organizations in the UK. A global leader recognizes the communication between different individuals, sensitivity and inspiration of people, business elements and decision making methods of an organization. For a good leader-follower affiliation, a leader should understand the cultural structure and then inspire the culture from county’s viewpoint. By global involvement, leaders can gain experience of business as well as be able to see things from other’s viewpoint (Goldsmith, M., “Global Leadership: The Next Generation”). Role of Leadership Communication Style in Cross-Cultural Communication Cross cultural communication is the communication between persons of dissimilar cultures. It is a vital aspect of globalization. Effective communication is based on overwhelming the cultural variances of different people, religions, nations and manners. It is critical for multinational organizations as the elements such as diversity always exist among employees, customers, clients and associates. Understanding of cultural variances can positively effect on the organization’s success. Improved employee communication, leader-follower relation and efficient customer management are all fields that can procure advantages by efficient cross-cultural communication. The leaders must adjust with managing people who belong to different cultures. To manage the cultural relationship, the focus of leader lies on being a proficient lecturer and good listener. Flexibility, compliance and frankness are the course for positive cross-cultural communication (Kwintessential Ltd, “Cross Cultural Communication Needs”). In the global environment, the cross-cultural communication includes learning of the communication techniques, management processes, approaching and negotiating procedures and maintaining relationships. Organizations that do not provide enough importance to these areas while performing in global marketplace can face losses. As a leader, greater understanding of cultural diversities, politeness, and code of behavior, communication and preparation can lead to high productivity and accomplishment of business objectives. Better communication can help to gain competitive advantage, because in present times the global business environment has become extremely competitive and is transforming continuously. Clients need any product or service quickly and apposite at the first time. Providing any demonstration towards followers and negotiating with other parties have become vital roles for a leader. Communication can help leaders to enhance their skills within cross-cultural environment. The followers also need to obtain effective tools as well as practical talents to properly express their thoughts and familiarize with the styles and methods to the requirements of cross culture. Proper training can help employees to acquire these skills. Because of globalization, leaders are forced to think beyond the limited ways of performing tasks and have developed superior interpersonal quality to communicate with diverse followers. Organizations are performing in an interrelated global economy and it is vital to maintain good relationship with individuals of every culture (Kwintessential Ltd, “Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace”). Conclusion This article meets the guidelines of Educause Quarterly magazine. The writing pattern of the magazine article is made on the basis of the procedures of Educause Quarterly magazine. This article meets all the requirements of the guidelines of the prescribed magazine. The significance of the topic is to describe the importance of communication in maintaining the leader-follower relationship. Communication is a key ability and it helps leaders to interact with the followers. The most important aspect for a leader with respect to the communication is the awareness. Leader must be aware about the topic of communication, method of sharing the information to the followers and synchronize the other aspects such as gestures, body language and proper toning while communicating. These are the components for effective communication. Besides, appropriate behavior is needed to maintain good relationship with the followers. As this is the period of globalization, organizations face cultural differences. It is the leader who can learn the cross-cultural techniques and manage the subordinates. Communication also requires listening skills. It is vital for a good leader to concentrate on the viewpoint of followers and establish a clear message to them. Works Cited Goldsmith, Marshall. Global Leadership: The Next Generation FT Press, 2003. Kwintessential Ltd. “Cross Cultural Communication Needs”. September 09, 2011. Cultural Services, No Date. Kwintessential Ltd. “Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace”. September 09, 2011. Articles, No Date. Mayfield, Milton. & Mayfield, Jacqueline. “The Role of Leader-Follower Relationships in Leader Communication.” The Journal of Business Inquiry 8.1 (2009): 65 – 82. National Communication Association. “Criteria for Oral Assessment”. September 9, 2011. Explore Our Knowledge-Driven Member Communities, No Date. Rubin, Donald L. & Et. Al. “A Review And Critique Of Procedures For Assessing Speaking And Listening Skills Among Preschool Through Grade Twelve Students”. September 9, 2011. Communication Education, 1982. Walker, Robyn. Strategic Management Communication for Leaders Cengage Learning, 2010. Bibliography Goodyear, Marilu. & Golden, Cynthia. “Leadership Transitions: Keys for Success”. September 09, 2011. Educause Quarterly, 2008. Read More