Communication is the foundation of who you are as a manager/leader in business. The rules are simple and the good news is that you can learn them and develop your skills… and it’s very easy! Here is the truth about great communication:-

The best communicators…

1. keep it simple Great communication is about making what you say very easy to understand. Just realize that important messages are best conveyed without a lot of technical jargon or 4 (or more!) syllable words. Less is definitely more.
2. know your audience It is important to understand that there are different levels of messaging for different groups of people. This is not to demean those different groups; in fact, they are honored that you have taken the time to think about them. Be aware of who you’re talking to and message accordingly.
3. Listen well The best communication is as much listening as what you say. It’s the ‘two ears/one mouth’ thing: keep the way you wear them in proportion. People love it when you listen to them and you will learn so much more about them and their situation. Take a look at Dale Carnegie ‘How to win friends and influence people’ – a fantastic little book that has stood the test of time.
4. Pay attention It is important that when you are in dialogue with someone, whether on the phone, face to face or in a group, you give them your full attention. If you get sidetracked by an interruption or distraction, you’ll lose them and your credibility.
5. honor the audience All the contributions of others are valuable, very valuable. So make sure that when people have taken the time, the effort and, yes, the courage to speak up, you treat them with respect and gratitude.
6. Realize your responsibility Conveying the message is the responsibility of the person who transmits it. It is not good to say: ‘Well, I meant that…’. He needs to hone his communication skills if things go wrong and look within himself at the possibly conflicting messages he is giving and refine them in the future. Learning is good!
7. follow, continue Writing important messages and circulating them, just to confirm. It’s a bit fiddly, but it makes sure things are really clear, especially great for those who are less auditory and more visual.
8. are heard You speak with authority and in an easy to understand language, and captivate. People leave you thinking: ‘hey, I can go for that’ and ‘what a good boy (or girl!)’ Great communicators have this innate ability.
9. Create a report easily It’s like an old friend showing up for a chat. The best communicators really do have a charismatic ability that allows them to adapt very, very easily. Difficult to learn, but very noticeable.
10. Check for understanding frequently What did you get out of that message? or ‘Was what I said clear?’ Two simple but key questions that activate that feedback loop. Never assume that your message is the one that everyone has received; it’s worth taking a look.

So there it is: communication in ten easy steps. Get it right, and you’ll significantly help your management performance, that of your people, and your business as a whole.