BE A STAR COMMUNICATOR

Starting at the bottom-left point of the star, your first step in putting more leadership into your style is to become a more dynamic communicator. Followers like their leaders to speak with authority. They want them to sound like leaders.

Dixie was an outstanding supervisor, but she was so soft-spoken in her approach to group meetings and counseling that those in her department became impatient. Some even went so far as to say she was “too nice.” Dixie's superior and mentor, a woman with a strong, commanding voice, suggested that Dixie take a course in public speaking. Dixie rejected the idea but took the suggestion to mean that she should demonstrate more leadership through her voice. She started to exercise more control through her voice in both private counseling and group sessions. Within three months her superior complimented her on the change and asked what grade she had received in her public speaking course. “I didn't take one,” Dixie replied. “I used you as a model and made the changes myself.”

Of course, speaking with confidence is only one part of your communications system. A good communications system is a planned program of daily two-way communications to keep those who work for you informed. An effective communication system can include all or part of the following: daily personal contact with workers on the site, a bulletin board where both supervisor and employee can leave messages that will be picked up daily, regular group staff meetings, informal communications during break periods, and use of in-house communications media (newsletters), telephone calls, distribution of personal notes, and voluntary or designed counseling sessions. Each leader must design a two-way system that works on a daily basis. A breakdown in the communications system is as serious as a breakdown of production equipment.

Why is such a system so important?

It is essential to keep everyone informed and prevent misunderstandings. Silence—not knowing what is going on—destroys morale. When workers are involved in decisions, or at least informed, they can cope with changes. Being left out in the cold develops hostility that can even lead to mutiny in extreme cases.

Employees need to know how they are doing as individuals and how their contribution relates to departmental goals. Knowing their status provides job security and reassurance, which many desperately need almost daily. When employees know where they stand, they relax and produce more. Within the security of the group, they feel they belong. A good communications system keeps workers from feeling neglected, misinterpreting, or becoming suspicious. It keeps them involved.

Leaders need the ideas that can come only from their followers. They must listen to suggestions and then give credit to those who make them. A good leader discovers problems and solves them before they become disruptive. The only way to make such discoveries is through a sound two-way communications system that brings problems to the attention of the leader. Weak and ineffective leaders usually discover problems too late. A leader with a strong, commanding voice who does not have a two-way communications system eventually loses the respect of followers. A leader with an authoritative voice and a well-maintained communications system has the winning combination.

As managers move into leadership roles, they go through a transition similar to a baseball player's experience in shifting from the minor to the major leagues. In no area is this change more dramatic than in communications.

Interviews with recognized leaders revealed a surprising number who gave high praise to Dale Carnegie courses and public speaking teachers for preparing them to lead. In recognition of the need for special training in this area, some professors are now suggesting that business administration majors consider a minor in communication arts.