Getting to Clarity: Creating MORE Success With Less Sacrifice

Communicate Smarter - Lead Better

Duration:: 10m
Broadcast on:: 01 Sep 2024
Audio Format:: mp3

Unlock the secrets to smarter communication and better leadership on this episode of the Getting to Clarity podcast with Debbie Peterson! What if the key to your leadership success lies not just in what you say but in how you say it? Tune in to discover practical tips and strategies to adapt your communication style to meet the unique needs of your diverse team members. From understanding personality differences to navigating cultural nuances, we'll guide you on how to resonate more effectively with your team and avoid common pitfalls that lead to disengagement and misunderstandings.

Join us as Debbie unpacks why a one-size-fits-all approach to communication is a recipe for failure. Learn how to tailor your interactions to match the preferences of each team member, whether they crave detailed data or thrive on big-picture brainstorming. Gain insights on role-based communication and the significance of cultural backgrounds in shaping how messages are received. If you're stepping into a leadership role for the first time or managing a diverse team, you won't want to miss these game-changing strategies that will help you build strong connections and lead with confidence.

Hey hello and welcome back. I am Debbie Peterson of Getting Declarity and this is another episode of the Getting to Clarity podcast. And today we're talking about communicate smarter lead better. And here's what I mean. As a new leader your success hinges on more than just what you say. It is how you say it. In communicate smarter lead better today. I'm going to show you how to adapt your communication style to suit the unique needs of each of your team members. Whether you're managing a diverse team or stepping into a leadership role for the first time. The practical tips that I'm going to share with you today will help you build stronger connections and lead with confidence. So stay tuned. Welcome to the Getting to Clarity podcast. The place where busy leaders discover how to create more success in their leadership journey with less sacrifice in their life. Here's your host, Debbie Peterson of Getting to Clarity. All right in a way we go. So as a new leader one of the most important skills that you can develop is effective communication. And believe me, communication is a huge topic. But effective communication isn't just about you being clear. Real effectiveness happens in your communication when you're adaptable. So the ability for you to tailor your communication style to meet the needs and the preferences of your team members is a game changer. It can make all the difference in how well you manage and resonate with your team. So why does tailoring communication matter? Well, you know we've got a lot of diversity in today's workplaces and that means that your team members will likely have varying communication styles. And these communication styles are shaped by their personalities, their roles, their cultural backgrounds. You name it. So what works for one person may not work for another. And as a leader, if you use a one size fits all approach like the way that you prefer to communicate, you risk a lot of misunderstandings, miscommunications, decline productivity, and just disengagement. So imagine, if you will, trying to motivate someone who prefers direct, concise instructions. And instead you give them a lengthy, wordy, detailed, squirrel sort of explanation. Well, they might get overwhelmed or even get frustrated, you know, missing the key points that you are trying to get across. I mean, I don't know about you, but I've had conversations with people that it's like hurting cats to figure out where they're going with it. So if you have someone like this, if you, on the other hand, give a brief high level overview, okay, then that might resonate a little better with them. But if you communicate at a high level with someone who really needs the details, well, that could have them feeling a little bit lost or unsure about what it is that you want them to do. And I know you don't want that. So let's understand some of the basics. What does tailoring communication even mean? Well, tailoring communication means that you adjust how you interact based on the individual needs of your team members. Now this doesn't mean changing your message. It means delivering it in a way that resonates with them, okay? So for new leaders, especially, this is so important because you are building rapport and trust and establishing your leadership style with your team. So some of the things that you may have to keep in mind are personality differences. Some people are more analytical and other people are more touchy-feely, maybe intuitive. And analytical individuals may appreciate detailed data and structured conversations while people who are more intuitive or creative might prefer big picture discussions and creative brainstorming. Maybe it is role-based communication is an opportunity for your focus. So different roles within your team require different types of communication. So for example, your finance team might need very clear data-driven communication while your creative team might benefit from more open-ended discussions that encourage more creativity, innovation and brainstorming. How about cultural backgrounds? Here's why you need to focus on this because cultural influences can shape how people interpret your communication. So for instance, in some cultures, direct communication is valued. But in other cultures, a more indirect approach is preferred. So being aware of these nuances helps you to prevent miscommunication and help your people to be seen and understood as well as heard. So I always want to give you practical tips. So let's go through a few. Now that we've covered why tailoring is important, let's look at some practical ways that you can implement it. Number one, observe and listen in how they communicate with other people. How do they respond to different types of communication? How do they phrase their emails or their conversations? Are they more direct or are they more reflective? Do they prefer written communication over verbal? You get to pick up the clues. They're out there for you if you bother to look for them. So an action step around observe and listen. Spend some time in the next 48 hours observing your team's communication habits. What do you notice about each of the individuals? Make some notes about each person. Simple. Easy peasy. Number two, ask for feedback. Sometimes the simplest way to understand someone's communication preference is to ask them. So easy. This not only provides you with more insight into them, but it shows that you value their input, which can build a healthier relationship and more trust. So an action step for asking for feedback would be have a one-on-one conversation with each of your team members. Ask them how they prefer to receive feedback. How do they prefer to get instructions, receive updates, anything like that. This is going to give you a clearer understanding of how to approach each person. Number three, adapt your approach. Once you've gathered these insights, start adapting your communication style. For instance, if you are dealing with a detail-oriented person, make sure that you provide thorough explanations and answer any questions they might have. So for those who prefer high-level summaries, keep your communication concise and focused on just the key points. So an action step here would be in your next team meeting, try adjusting how you present information based on what you've learned about each person's differences, and observe how does this impact their engagement, their understanding. Number four, leverage the support of others. You know, as a new leader, you've got a lot going on, and you don't have to navigate the challenges of communication all on your own. Look for people around you who are known for their strong communication skills, and that is whether they're colleagues, mentors, or even leaders from others departments. These individuals can offer valuable advice on how to tailor your communication style. They can really shortcut the process for you. So don't hesitate to ask them for specific tips or examples of what's worked for them in the past. And then they also might be able to recommend some communication courses or workshops, depending on what you need that can further enhance your skills. So an action step here is identify a few colleagues or mentors who excel in communication, then reach out to them for advice. Ask them about techniques that they use about their style and whether they can suggest any tips for you to improve. Number five is to practice consistently. What do I mean by practice consistently? Tailoring your communication isn't a one-time effort. It's not a one and done. It's an ongoing process. So the more you practice, the more naturally it will come to you. So over time, you'll develop a sense of how to adjust your approach for different individuals and situations. And that makes you a more effective leader. So an action step here is commit to practicing tailored communication every day for the next week, let's say. And then you have a chance to look back. What worked? What didn't? Where can you approve? Where do you need to adjust? It's just that simple. So start tailing your communication now because tailoring your communication style is critical. And when it's most important is when you're new to leadership. So by tailoring your communication, it helps you to connect with your team on a deeper level. It ensures that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal. So your next steps in the next 48 hours, pick one of the action steps above. And then by making this adjustment, you're not only going to become a more effective leader, but you're also going to build a better team. Love to hear from you on how it goes. And until the next time, here is wishing you all the clarity that you deserve to make the impact in your communication that you desire. Take care and bye bye for now. Thank you for listening to this episode of the Getting to Clarity Podcast with Debbie Peterson. If you enjoyed this show, please rate and recommend it on iTunes or wherever you enjoy your podcast. To learn more about how you can bring Debbie and her transformational clarity leadership strategies to your organization, visit DebbiePetersonSpeaks.com. [Music] [BLANK_AUDIO]