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Leaders Communicate Effectively! - Use Questions

Effective leaders understand that good communication also involves the ability to give clear direction and productive feedback. They also know when to ask questions and how to encourage new ideas among their employees.

Here is another of my leadership communication skills tips to help you communicate your message more effectively:


Use Questions to Uncover Information. “Effective leaders use great questions.” When an employee comes to you with a challenge, instead of giving them an answer (the default mode for many leaders) ask them a question instead.

Questions allow you to collect information before you give the answer (diagnose before you prescribe). Questions can empower employees by helping them think through a challenge and forcing them to search for answers or new ideas on their own. If they uncover the answers, employees are more likely to embrace them. Leaders can also use questions as a check for understanding and to see whether the listener got the essence of the message.

“Seek first to understand then to be understood.” - Stephen Covey, author of Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

ACTION
During the next few weeks pay attention to how you communicate with employees. Are you quickly giving them the answer or are you asking questions first? Carry an index card and track your communication: 1) How often do you ask questions? 2) How often do you give answers?

If you are not asking questions at least 50% of the time, you may want to reconsider how you communicate with others.


Over the next few weeks I will be sharing more areas that can help leaders communicate their messages more effectively. So be sure to check back.

In the meantime, if you have any successes or questions about leadership communication Let me know and I will share them with my readers. E-mail Patrick
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