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Effectively Communicating in Today’s Competitive
Workplace- Part 2
Imagine reaching your professional goals by December
2006. What will it take? Can you get there alone?
Are you seeking proven techniques to improve your
leadership effectiveness?
Are you interested in
meeting other professionals discussing topics such as
Effectively Communicating, Leveraging Diverse Relationships
and Team Building?
Do you enjoy reading the "Leadership
Solutions for Today’s Competitive Workplace"
newsletter and wish you had a way to discuss the topics in
more depth?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you will want
to participate in the April 25, 2006 teleseminar
conducted by Deborah Chambers Chima. Our topic of discussion
will be “Effectively Communicating in Today’s Competitive
Workplace- Part 2”
During our next class we will discuss specifics on:
- strategies to consistently communicate effectively with
your boss
- how to do damage control when your communication with
peers creates a negative perception of your leadership
abilities
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable leadership
solutions!
Upon registration you will be given an opportunity to
submit your questions about effective communication in advance
of the class to ensure you get the answers you are seeking on
this ever-evolving topic. You can choose to attend an
afternoon or evening class or both.
To register for the April 25 seminar, click on the time
you prefer: 3:00 pm or 7:00 pm (Central Time). This seminar is available for a special
introductory price of $29!!
Did you miss Part 1 of our
Teleseminar series?
Order this audio recording to learn the "5 Tips to
Effective Communication" for just $10.  
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Dear Reader,
Leadership Solutions for Today's Workplace is a monthly
newsletter for professionals seeking quick and easy solutions
to enhance their leadership skills. Each issue features
practical tips and an article based on real world examples
that demonstrate leadership in today's competitive work
environment.
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A Note from
Deborah Chambers Chima |
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As I sit down and contemplate my twenty six year career
journey, I am amazed at the myriad of experiences that are now
a part of my story. Whether you realize it or not, every day
you are creating components of your leadership journey. What
may initially seem like an insignificant event has the
possibility of expanding into a major opportunity or loss of
an opportunity if you don’t maintain a high level of
awareness.
Awareness of how you communicate and build relationships,
are just as important as the performance level in which you
complete your job assignments. All three components are part
of the leadership legacy you create on a daily basis.
Too often we can become guilty of minimizing how our
interactions with others have an impact on how we are
perceived. Depending on the position, power and mindset of the
person you think you are having a simple conversation with,
what you say or don’t say could have a tremendous impact on
your future success within the organization.
I once missed being considered for a position because I
had what I thought was a simple conversation with the
secretary of a department I was interviewing with. I was in
the enviable position of being interviewed by two competing
departments. Both departments were aware that I had been
approved for the two interviews. The secretary called to
reschedule the time for my interview. A scheduling situation
had come up within her department, however the time she wanted
me to take was already earmarked for my interview with the
other department.
I innocently stated that I wanted to protect my
integrity since I had already made arrangements with the other
department. She seemed a little miffed that I wouldn’t change
my plans, but I didn’t think much about it at the time. The
date we ended up with meant that her department would be my
second interview. When I arrived for my interview, it was over
before it started even though we went through the motions.
Out of the clear blue, the head of the department asked why
I bothered setting up the interview since I had already
decided which department I wanted to target. When I inquired
how he got that opinion, he stated that his secretary told him
that I said I was more interested in my other interview.
Obviously that is not what I said, but that is what she
heard. I didn’t get the job that I wanted no matter how much I
tried to do damage control. After all, the person he trusted
wouldn’t give him bad information, would she?
I learned some valuable lessons about the importance of
clear communication with this situation. I’m sure you have
similar stories of how what you said was not how the message
was received.
One of my most valuable lessons learned is to always ask
for clarity if you get any indication that there is the
possibility of a misunderstanding. The extra time you take
will pay off.
As you strive to build your leadership legacy always keep
in mind that your communication has the power to open or close
doors. If you would like to discuss your communication
barriers, give
me a call. |
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Using
Effective Communication to Fulfill Your Leadership
Journey |
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As you identify and execute the career goals you want to
accomplish, a roadmap will be essential to ensuring you reach
your destination. Like most things in life, keeping your
career goals simple will help create a higher possibility for
success. There are many critical leadership strategies you
must execute in order to reach your goals. Yet, I have found
over the years that the most vital leadership strategy you
will need to have in place is the ability to lead through
strong communication skills. Your understanding of how to
effectively communicate in all types of environments will
create a myriad of opportunities to fulfill your professional
goals.
Strong communication skills enable you to demonstrate your
ability to lead others. The more aggressive your career goals
are, the better your communication skills must be. If you
desire to have the necessary influence with your direct
reports, peers, boss, and senior executives within your
organization, you must demonstrate that you have the ability
to communicate effectively with each specific group. The whole
process of visioning, goal setting, strategic development and
the execution of action plans involves communication. Whether
communicating verbally or in written form, your communication
should be focused and provide clarity.
Leaders who desire to create a legacy that is lasting
understand that their communication strategy is critical to
reaching their goals. Effective communicators use the
following three strategies consistently:
- Listen intently and check for understanding often
- as you get caught up in rushing to the next project or
task it is easy to forget how listening plays an important
role in communication. Being an effective listener creates
the opportunity to clearly hear when a conversation is
taking an undesired track. As a result, you have a better
opportunity to gain clarity and an understanding of what the
other person is really saying.
Being an intent listener allows you to observe the other
person’s non verbal communication which often gives clues as
to whether what the other person is saying is really what
they mean. Listening more allows you to create better
conversations which can result in the opportunity to create
consensus more often for your ideas.
- Speak confidently at all times - reaching your
career goals is dependent upon demonstrating your
effectiveness. What you say and how you say it makes all the
difference in how others perceive you. The impression you
make with your communication style is all within your
control.
When others allow their emotions to get mixed up with
their communication, you can choose to be the voice that
speaks confidently about the facts at hand. When others
choose to only communicate about the negatives of a
particular problem, you can choose to confidently speak
about your recommendations on how to resolve the problem.
Demonstrating confidence through your communication style
allows you a better opportunity to be viewed as a capable
leader.
- Always communicate with integrity - respected
leaders understand the absolute criticalness of
communicating in a manner that is respectful and honest.
Leaders who consciously work to create a track record of
operating in integrity gain the confidence of those they
desire to lead.
When you review your leadership legacy you should be able
to easily identify examples when your communication allowed
others to feel valued and empowered as a result of the
integrity model you demonstrate on a daily basis.
In order to ensure they remain strategic, focused and
effective while crafting their communication strategy,
effective leaders’ partner with a coach. Give
me a call soon to discuss how you can improve your
communication abilities in the workplace. |
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The
Leadership Solutions Lady |
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Deborah Chambers Chima is passionate about assisting
her clients with achieving their professional goals. Prior to
launching her consulting and coaching firm, she achieved an
award winning, twenty four year tenure in corporate management
in the retail industry, in both international and domestic
markets. Her clients appreciate her attention to detail and
her desire to assist others in improving their productivity.
To learn more about Deborah, please visit her website at www.chambersconsult.com.
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