Knowing some basic level skills provides an important foundation on which you build the trust and respect you need to lead people most effectively. It also provides the foundation from which you are then be able to get great results from more advanced techniques. Learn what I refer to as Level 1 Leadership Communication and become the leader you want to be.
Level 1 Leadership Communication is about becoming self-aware and defining yourself as a leader, then committing to be the type of leader you want to be, and then acting congruently and consistently with that definition.
To help you get a better grasp on this, I have created the Who-What-How Exercise, described below.
Who-What-How Exercise
Who
Define who you want to be as a leader. Identify the traits, personality characteristics and the communication style you are committed to applying in your leadership role. If you know or have admired other leaders whom you would like to emulate, list them and their traits:
| Example |
Your Answer |
- Detail-oriented
- Punctual
- Early riser
- Physically fit
- Healthy diet
- Communicates with directness but with compassion and empathy
- Open-minded
- Curious
- True open door policy
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What
What are the specific details behind each of the traits, personality characteristics and the communication style you want to use:
| Example |
Your Answer |
- Asks a lot of questions
- Listens actively and responds appropriately
- Always uses appropriate eye contact
- Is early for every meeting
- Always prepares meeting agenda in advance and lets others review it for comments and adjustments before providing final copy in advance
- Always has time for others when requested, either in the moment or schedules a specific time as close as possible to the time the request is made
- Always follows through with an answer to questions/requests in a timely fashion
- Always maintains and projects appropriate emotional demeanor
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How
How are you committed to manifesting these traits and how are you committed to showing up as a leader. This is where the leader commits to applying those traits, characteristics and actions into specific daily behaviours in leading their organisation:
| Example |
Your Answer |
- I promise to be early and prepare in advance for all meetings
- I will maintain a positive attitude and apply the most appropriate emotional responses to situations so that I can be a role model for those I lead
- I promise to lead by example in terms of my personal health and physical fitness
- I will treat all those who come before me with respect, empathy, compassion and genuineness
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The "How" section is the leader's personal promise and standard statement to themselves and to those they lead. It is something those that aspire to be great leaders are willing to hold themselves accountable, to and are willing to have those they lead hold them accountable to.
The Who-What-How exercise is a very powerful process offering a solid strategy for Level 1 Leadership Communication.
Once your Who-What-How is complete it is meant to be a living, working document that should be evaluated, and adjusted regularly, if required. It is also a great model to launch a 360 feedback process from those you lead, which will allow you to make adjustments that will have the greatest impact and results in leading your team and organisation.