Communication – Not Just a Catchphrase

Healthcare Leadership

 

with Dan Nielsen dan@americashealthcareleaders.com

 

 

Communication has become a catchphrase of leadership. Everybody knows the importance of communication, but often it still gets overlooked. In an article featured on Forbes.com, “Why Communication is Today’s Most Important Skill,” author Greg Satell approaches the issue of communication:

 

“We often treat communication as if it were a discrete act, a matter of performance or lack thereof. Yet meaning cannot be separated from context. A crucial, but often overlooked, function of leadership is creating a culture in which effective communication can flourish.”

 

Have you cultivated a culture of communication? Do you communicate effectively as a leader?

 

These questions are vital to ask, and demand an honest self-evaluation. It’s really easy to say, “Yes, I am an effective communicator.” But would your staff and colleagues agree with you? Without effective communication, your leadership is compromised.

 

In an interview I conducted with John Self, executive recruiter, we discussed how one of the most effective ways to get a true assessment of your skills is to ask those who work with you the most. These individuals will typically have an accurate assessment of your skills and your ability to communicate effectively.

 

3 Reasons to Communicate Effectively

• Effective communication allows you to openly discuss your company’s culture and values. When individuals have clear knowledge of what is expected of them, they in turn become better employees.
• Effective communication eliminates much of the margin for error. Communication breakdowns cause frustration, limit progress, and waste time and money.

• Effective, authentic communication enables you to better connect with your team and colleagues, allowing you to all understand each other better and work together more effectively.

 

In the same interview with John Self mentioned before, he stated:

 

“If you can’t communicate, if you can’t embrace communication, if you can’t embrace interaction, you can’t lead, and you have no business aspiring to that role.”

 

Are you an effective communicator? How is your leadership affected by communication? Don’t take this leadership catchphrase for granted—it truly is one of the most important skills a leader can have.

 

Copyright © 2016 by Dan Nielsen – www.americashealthcareleaders.com