There are 5 Habits of Highly Effective Communicators. Check if you have them.

It’s no secret that good leaders are also good communicators.

How can you inspire or guide others if you don’t communicate in a clear, credible, authentic way?

Here are 5 essential communication practices of effective leaders.

1. Mind the say-do gap. This is all about trust, which is the bedrock of effective leadership. It’s better to say nothing or delay your communication until you’re certain that your actions will ring true. Remember – actions speak louder than words.
2. Make the complex simple.  Effective leaders make complex thoughts and strategies into simple, memorable terms that colleagues and customers can take and act upon. If you can’t keep it simple, it may be that you don’t understand it. Say what you mean in as few words as possible.
3. Find your own voice.Use language that’s distinctly your own. Let your values come through in your communication. People want real. People respect real. People follow real. Don’t disguise who you are. Be genuine, and people will respect you for it.
4. Be visible. It’s easy to hide behind a computer and transmit messages to others without seeing or interacting with them. Although e-communication serves a valuable purpose, it is no substitute for face-to-face and voice-to-voice communication. Today people need to feel a personal connection to you and the work that you believe in.
5. Listen with your eyes as well as your ears. Stop, look and listen. Remember that effective communication is two-way. Good leaders know how to ask good questions, and then listen with both their eyes and ears. You need to read between the lines. Listen and hear what is coming back at you. Look for the nonverbal cues. Sometimes a person’s body language will tell you everything you need to know.