Is Your Communication Lacking From One Of These Reasons?
Being an effective communicator can make or break your leadership potential. In fact, communication is vital to build your influence and impact. Let me break down my formula for you:
- Bad Communication + Bad Competency = No Influence
- Good Communication + Bad Competency = Terminal Influence
- Bad Communication + Good Competency = Limited Influence
- Good Communication + Good Competency = Massive Influence
I see a lot of leaders who are good at what they do, but they are not good at communicating what they do. Therefore, their influence is limited. They are not able to show their value because their communication is lacking. As I have coached hundreds of leaders, here are some of the top reasons why people don’t communicate well.
1) Too Humble
Some people are simply too humble, meaning they think communicating too much is some form of pride. They don’t want to appear too pushy or too dominating. But in doing so, they leave opportunity on the table by being too quiet. Humility is a great thing, but being humble doesn’t mean you have to be silent. If this is what you struggle with challenge yourself to become more confident and bold in what you have to say…trust yourself.
2) Too Fearful
Many people are silent because they don’t want to say something wrong. They fear to mess up their words and say something that will make them look bad. But this fear suppresses their potential to be a better communicator. The only way to get better at communicating is to simply do it a lot. Never allow fear of looking bad or saying something wrong limit your ability to grow your influence. Even though you think you’re saving your influence by being silent it is only sabotaging your influence in the long run. Conquer your fear and step out!
3) Too Unskilled
This too can be a limiting belief people have that keeps them from speaking up. But truly, some people just don’t know how to communicate effectively. They feel they have tried and it all comes out wrong. I would encourage those that struggle with this to apply yourself and learn how to be a better communicator. There is no reason you can’t develop your skills and get better. Great communicators aren’t just born, they are forged through training and experience. You too, can learn, but you’re going to have to find resources, coaches, and opportunities for yourself to get better.
Here is one of the best books I have ever seen on communicating, you need to get it immediately. It is written by my mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell, called Everyone Communicates Few Connect. Get it today (and no, this is not some affiliate link…it is just my passion to help you get better!)
With hard work and dedication to learning you can become an awesome communicator. When you start to step out and work on it you will increase your influence over time…I promise!
