Bridging Communication Gaps for New Leaders

This chapter highlights the critical role of effective communication for new leaders in organizations, focusing on the importance of listening and questioning. Through a real-life example, it underscores how terminology can create barriers between IT and business stakeholders, emphasizing the need for leaders to adapt their language to foster better understanding.

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How well do you communicate?

A simple question on the face of it, but are you really winging it?

Whether it’s via email, that first impression, or contributing to meetings, there are ways we can improve how we contribute. That’s exactly what I discuss in this episode with my guest Chris Fenning, an award-winning author on the topic of communication.

Chris shares the significance of structuring communication so we can deliver messages in high stakes situations with more skill. He also explores the role AI is taking in our communication methods, and what we need to be careful of when using it.

This episode will help you transform your impact and improve your prospects through better communication.

“Good communication requires building good habits.”– Chris Fenning

You'll hear about:

· How preparation can significantly improve communication effectiveness.

· Using structure in communication to help ensure messages are understood.

· Why awareness of your use of jargon is essential when communicating with non-experts.

· Ways AI tools can assist in communication but should not replace skill development.

· Why listening and asking questions are key for effective leadership communication.

· How pausing before responding can enhance clarity and thoughtfulness.

About Chris Fenning:

Chris Fenning helps professionals master their communication at work. He helps experts talk to non-experts, teams talk to executives, and much more. Chris's practical methods are used in organisations like Google, JP Morgan, and NATO, and have appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author of multiple award-winning books on communication and training that have been translated into 16 languages.

Resources:

• Website: https://chrisfenning.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/

• Book links:

• The First Minute: https://www.amazon.com/First-Minute-Start-Conversations-Results/dp/183824400X

• Effective Emails: https://www.amazon.com/Effective-Emails-Straightforward-Communication-Business/dp/1838244069

• 39 Ways to Make Training Stick: https://www.amazon.com/Ways-Make-Training-Stick-Development/dp/1916818013

• Online courses: https://chris-fenning.thinkific.com/

My resources:

Try my High-stakes meetings toolkit (https://bit.ly/43cnhnQ)

Take my Becoming a Strategic Leader course (https://bit.ly/3KJYDTj)

Sign up to my Every Day is a Strategy Day newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for modern mindsets and practices to help you get ahead.