Whether sharing information on workflow systems, data, clients or critical processes, leaders must be able to effectively communicate with others to succeed. A leader’s ability to clearly convey their organization’s goals, practices and strategies can have a significant impact on the organization’s ability to increase sales, retain employees, reach quotas and fulfill other measures of success. Certain key leadership communication skills are needed to thrive in a leadership role today.
Individuals who hope to pursue senior management roles should ensure they develop these core leadership communication skills. Earning a bachelor’s degree in communication can prepare prospective leaders with the tools they need to become confident and impactful communicators.
What Is Leadership Communication?
Leadership communication refers to messaging from those in senior-level positions to employees, executives and other stakeholders. Leaders must be able to use different methods and styles of communication, depending on the message and the audience. Leaders communicate important information regularly, such as when they are implementing updated practices, onboarding new employees, troubleshooting challenges or delegating responsibilities.
Why Are Leadership Communication Skills Important?
Effective leadership communication skills help organizational leaders foster an inclusive, cohesive and productive working environment.
Organizations are at an advantage when their supervisors, managers and senior-level employees have strong leadership communication skills that enable them to minimize errors of understanding and ensure that their teams clearly grasp their roles and responsibilities. Leaders who are skilled communicators also are able to promote a positive workplace culture, as they foster an environment where feedback is welcome and wins are shared and celebrated.
5 Types of Leadership Communication Skills
Having more than one leadership communication skill can make the difference between a good and a great organizational leader. Aspiring leaders should cultivate leadership communication skills in the following areas.
1. Awareness and Adaptability
Just as people have different communication styles, they also have different learning styles. It is as important for those in leadership positions to know when they are not effectively communicating with their audience as it is to know when they are.
Being able to pick up on when and why their messaging is or is not working and adjusting to their audience’s needs is an invaluable skill for leaders. Having the capacity to tailor communication to a specific audience and know when revisions are necessary can enable leaders to make a significant difference in their organization’s ability to reach its goals.
2. Active Listening
Great communicators understand when to shift from talking to listening. Being skilled at actively listening to their employees and other stakeholders is a way for leaders to show their audience that their ideas and feedback are valued. This can promote stronger relationships and more honest interpersonal communication.
3. Empathy
Empathy, the ability to understand and share another’s feelings, is an often overlooked but incredibly valuable leadership communication skill. Leaders who can express empathy can play a big part in creating a work environment where employees feel heard and valued. An understanding of employees’ perspectives and feelings also can inform leaders on how to best respond to their concerns and issues.
4. Transparency
Leaders who can consistently communicate in a way that seems truthful and transparent can bolster trust and encourage employees to communicate more authentically as well. As the University at Albany’s Department of Communication lecturer Dawn Sohns says, “One of the most important communication traits is to build trust. And how do you do that? Being honest and transparent, being real and humanizing who you are.”
5. Storytelling
Leaders with storytelling capabilities are able to communicate in accessible and engaging ways. By using narratives rather than lists of information, leaders can deliver more impactful messages to a range of audience members, and boost their motivation, morale and productivity.
How to Develop Leadership Communication Skills
Through education, certification and working experience, individuals can gain the communication skills required to succeed in leadership roles.
Bachelor’s Degree in Communication
A bachelor’s degree in a communication program provides students with a strong foundation of communication skills and understanding that can be applied in any field or industry. Communication programs explore communication topics, trends and concepts, and enable students to develop skills in analyzing and improving their communication practices.
Communication Certification
Acquiring a certification can demonstrate an individual’s expertise and specific skills to potential employers. Some notable certification options for communications professionals are:
- Accredited business communicator (ABC)
- Digital marketing professional certification
- Certified communications professional (CCP)
- Social media marketing certification
Different certifications showcase different special skill areas and a commitment to developing leadership communication skills.
Entry-Level Communication Positions
Gaining hands-on experience is one of the most impactful ways to develop communication skills. Working in an entry-level role can help individuals develop their ability to deliver effective oral and written messages. Some communication positions that aspiring leaders can consider are:
- Social media coordinator
- Production assistant
- Communications coordinator
- Public relations assistant
- Content writer
- Marketing coordinator
- Technical writer
These positions, though entry-level, are highly detail oriented and allow individuals to apply the communication skills they gained through their bachelor’s in communication program.
Develop Your Communication Skills at UAlbany
Using their key leadership communication skills in areas such as empathy, active listening and storytelling, leaders can establish a welcoming and efficient workplace that supports staff and leads to business success. To build the skills needed to be an effective leader, individuals need to seek out education and work experiences that prioritize oral and written communication competencies.
Intentional coursework and valuable internships are just two elements of the University at Albany’s Bachelor of Arts in Communication program that help prepare students to succeed beyond graduation. Our graduates go on to pursue careers in fields such as public relations, marketing and media.
UAlbany offers its undergraduate communication program both in person and fully online, which provides nontraditional students with the flexibility they need to earn their degree.
Discover how UAlbany’s degree program can help you build your professional leadership skills today.
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