Communities undergo cycles of growth, renewal, and sometimes decline. A dynamic leader, a compelling vision, and a promise of a better tomorrow can inspire a community. However, once a community achieves its vision, it risks becoming complacent. To avoid decline, a community must continually adapt and strategize for the next opportunity. Clear and careful communication with all stakeholders is critical during these transitions.
We all know that communication is important; it can either enhance or destroy relationships. But what does successful, thoughtful, and thorough communication actually look like? Perhaps as a community leader, you never took communication or public speaking courses in college, or your current communication skills need refinement. Let’s explore some thoughts and insights on crucial communication and storytelling.
According to Salesforce, 86% of employees and executives cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main cause of workplace failures, while improved internal communication can boost organizational productivity by as much as 25%.
If communication is so essential, why do we often struggle with it? As social creatures who require dialogue for survival, shouldn’t we be better at this? A Templar article titled "Why Smart People Are Bad Communicators" points out several reasons:
We like to be in control
We don’t listen well
We ask the wrong questions
We don’t tell stories effectively
To be an effective communicator, sometimes we need to communicate less and listen more. Active listening is a vital communication skill for community leaders. Here are some active listening exercises that might help:
Restate What They Are Saying: Confirm understanding and show you are paying attention by restating the speaker's points.
Reflect on Emotions: Recognize and reflect on the feelings and emotions being expressed.
Rephrase Key Concepts: Paraphrase key ideas to ensure the speaker feels heard and understood.
Ask Questions: Probe deeper to unearth motives, assumptions, and beliefs.
Practice Affirmative Listening: Focus on possibilities rather than threats and dead ends.
Connect Ideas: Help bring the conversation into “convergent” thinking by connecting differing ideas.
Build Rapport: Establish trust over time to become a reliable ally.
Align Thinking: Show alignment with shared perspectives when appropriate.
Walk and Listen: Walking while listening can alleviate non-verbal anxiety and stress, especially in men.
Effective communication is the backbone of successful community development. By prioritizing active listening and thoughtful communication, community leaders can foster trust, collaboration, and innovation. Committing to continuous improvement in our communication skills ensures us that we are always prepared for the next vision, promise, and opportunity.