Effective communication is a vital leadership skill. An entire group, company or organisation will rise or fall to the communication standards of its leaders. In a 2009 study by Siemens Communications and SIS International Research, it was found that a company with 100 employees loses an average of 17 hours per week addressing inefficient communication, which could cost the company up to $525,000 every year.

Leaders spend a good part of their day interacting with others, whether in a one-to-one situation, in small meetings or at a podium in front of many. That means you have plenty of opportunities to look out for and correct these common communication mistakes:

1. Focusing only on yourself

If your attention is always on your own message, thoughts and feelings, you will fail to connect with your audience, whether its one or many. In a one-to-one exchange or small group, allow ample time for others to be heard, and be open to how their input may change your own beliefs, actions and message.

If you’re delivering from the front of the room, allow natural pauses as if it were a conversation, and continually scan your audience to see how your message is being received. Act as if you are speaking to each person individually.

2. Being unprepared for your leadership communication responsibilities

Every time you speak publicly you represent your company. The more organised and prepared you are, the more you will be able to accommodate unpredictable questions, comments or situations and still remain calm and effective.

3. Hiding behind inappropriate communication methods

You may feel more comfortable sending an email or leaving a voicemail message, but that may not be the best approach for a particular communication. Consider the responders’ feelings and how the message may be perceived by others, including the public, if applicable.

4. Putting no attention on how you deliver your message

Reading or reciting without varying your inflection or tone makes it sound like you’re disconnected from the message you’re delivering. You may think you’re being polished and professional, but this kind of lifeless delivery puts a barrier between you and your audience and can make you sound like a robot.

5. Saying statements as questions

A rise in inflection at the end of a sentence makes it sound as though you’re begging for validation or questioning your own message. People may have a hard time trusting you if you don’t seem to believe what you’re saying.

6. Using nervous habits such as rambling, filler words, unnatural gestures or fidgeting

Record a video of yourself leading a meeting or giving a speech or presentation. This will reveal your most common issues, and then you can pay closer attention to when you’re tempted to use them. Deep breathing and other relaxation techniques can help calm your nerves and be more present in the moment.

If you’re not inciting the respect, motivation, productivity or results you desire from others, consider whether one of these leadership communication mistakes is to blame.

With thanks to www.crsco.com for inspiration for this post.

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