How to Be An Effective Communicator

We leaders often overestimate how effective our communication has actually been, assuming that by giving an instruction / piece of feedback / or sharing an objective will be enough to ensure the team will deliver a phenomenal result.

But effective communication is more complex than that.

Today, I am exploring the Effective Communication Loop, a tool we teach inside our coaching program, ‘The Influential Communicator’.

‘Effective communication’ and ‘achieving outstanding results’ go hand-in-hand.

And we all have a tendency to overestimate how well we have communicated.

For example, I might shout an instruction from the lounge to my 9-year old son sitting in the kitchen, asking him to pack his homework into his bag (as I have a tendency to do).

Here, I am making 4 assumptions:

1. That my son heard me at all

2. That he understood what I said

3. That he cared!

4. That he took any action as a result (and did what I asked)

Clearly my communication was NOT effective.

Effective communication is not what you say…

It is what is actioned as a result of what you say.

Here is a tool I teach inside my coaching program, The Influential Communicator. 

It is called the Effective Communication Loop.

Here’s how an Effective Communication Loop works:

1. You start with a Communication Output (what is said).

2. Next you have an Active Listener (what is actively heard).

3. The Active Listener then fully Understands the instruction.

4. And lastly, the Active Listener takes action.

Your Role As The Effective Communicator:

As the person offering the initial instruction (Communication Output), your focus must be on keeping the loop intact throughout. It is your responsibility to ensure understanding (and action) are achieved.

If you want to be an Effective Communicator – whether you’re setting expectations, clarifying an objective, or giving feedback…

Your goal is NOT to communicate your instruction.

Your goal IS to ensure that your communication is understood and will be actioned.

Ultimately…

Your goal IS to take responsibility for closing (not breaking) the communication loop.

What are your thoughts about effective communication? Share them below!

Who we are:

Illuminate Personal Growth is a Career & Leadership Development business with a specialism in supporting women to excel in their careers.

How I Can Help You:

1.      Listen to my full 13-minute podcast episode on this topic: Ep 198 Leadership Fundamentals (Part 2/3): Communication & Accountability

2.      Schedule a free 15-minute Career Strategy Call with me to discuss you career, its challenges and your focus for the year ahead. You’ll leave with an action plan and a tonne more clarity.