If so you are in the right place! Part of career development as a leader is to continually work on communication strategies. Part of career development as a leader is to continually work on communication strategies. First watch the short video below. The leadership strategies follow the video.
Recap of the Video
I was traveling to Canada from Michigan with my friends. My neighbor Mike was driving and the border guard asked him where he lived. Mike said, “The United States.” The guard asked in a very sarcastic way, “That’s a big place…where do you live?” Mike said, “Michigan.” Again the guard asked in a very condescending way, “That’s also a big place.” This time, Mike answered, “West Bloomfield MI.” The guard let us through without asking any more questions. We laughed the entire weekend about this communication faux pax.
The guard was correct in asking these important questions. He didn’t have to be such a bully.
The same thing happens in our conversations. We may express the best message and ask the greatest questions. It’s how we say things that matter.
Hope you enjoy this short article on Career Development Strategies for Leaders.
Career Development Strategy #1
Tell your team that you are proud of them. Many of my clients don’t realize how powerful their words can be with their team. Make sure that you share how your team’s skills add to the success of the company. This one strategy will go a LONG way especially when you are authentic and share details on their strengths. Part of a strong leader is recognizing the strengths of others and helping them continually grow.
Career Development Strategy #2
Ask for their opinions. Many of my clients tell me that when they start asking direct reports to share ideas on a new process, the lines of communication opens up. Of course, you need to be willing to really listen and take their opinions seriously.
Career Development Strategy #3
Ask your team what they like and dislike about their jobs. Turnover will be reduced when you keep your star employees from leaving. Many times they have legitimate complaints. They find new positions in another company because they are listened to by their new boss. If you can’t deliver their requests, let them know why and make them feel listened to by asking them what you need to do keep them from leaving. A client of mine recently saved a star employee from leaving by asking him what he needed that he was not getting from his current job. The employee told his boss that he has been bored and feels his career development has been squelched. The boss took him very seriously and enrolled the employee in an online course on leadership. All is well!
Career Development Strategy #4
Ask what you need to do to make their work easier and what the company needs to do to create new processes. This is an extension of strategy #3. Leaders who accept total responsibility for the morale of their team have a better success rate. A client of mine enjoyed her employment except when her ideas were discounted during meetings. I helped her with a strategy to express this concern to her boss. Miracles happened. He heard her frustration and did not realize that he discounted her. The responsibility is on the employee who allowed her boss to continually reject her ideas for many years. She was on her way to look for a new position until she practiced what she would say to her boss. She is getting stronger and is being listened to! Remember, “You Get What YOU Tolerate!”
I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to send me your questions about what strategies speak to you. How have you helped others develop their career?
Do You Give Your Team A Strategy on How Their Communication Impacts Their Success at Work?
CLICK HERE to find the easy and fun Communicate with Impact Quiz. You can send your team the link and they will get their results immediately. They will learn how they set boundaries, communicate in meetings, and so much more.
Here’s the LINK
Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss – Communication Strategist and Coach
You can start tackling tough conversations with bullies, different generations, and even narcissists once you learn the powerful strategies. I will do whatever it takes to help you improve your quality of life.
Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on-line professional growth coaching.
Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!
See YOU Next Week.
Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Executive Coaching Strategies Knowledge Base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/executive-coaching-strategies/