The Communications of Leadership

Here’s a concept that we could apply to President Bush – comparing his effectiveness as a communicator around Iraq (Normal State) and his effectiveness as a communicator during 9/11 (Fundamental State.)

We know that effective leaders are most usually great communicators – the confidence of leadership often self-evident in confident behavior. There’s an explanation for this from the Harvard Business Review, that is relevant to business and politics…

University

of

Michigan

professor Robert E. Quinn introduced the concept of the Fundamental State of Leadership – a heightened perspective, and one that’s inherent in all of us.

“In the normal state people tend to stay within their comfort zones and allow external forces to direct their behaviors and decisions. They lose moral influence and often rely on rational argument and the exercise of authority to bring about change…the result is usually unimaginative and incremental – and largely produces what already exists. To elevate the performance of others, we must elevate ourselves into the fundamental state of leadership.”

We’ve all been there in our personal and professional lives – a time of crisis where we rise to the occasion and overcome the challenge. (ie. President Bush leading us during 9/11.) If we force ourselves into the

Fundamental

State

, rather than waiting for crisis to knock at our door, we’ll get better and better. And so too is the case with communications. Quinn says that getting there requires a shift along four dimensions.

So, what does this mean for communicators?

1.   Don’t stick with what’s comfortable. Instead of standing in one place behind a lectern during a presentation, move and create energy. Actively pursue speaking engagements that push your comfort zone, where you can practice the behavioral skills of communication.

2.   Master the Natural Self – that special combination of your unique personality, mind, opinions and behaviors. Don’t become someone you’re not. Harnessing the Natural Self while communicating will increase your ability to connect with others, because you’re just being you – confident and relaxed.

3.   Create listener-focused messages. State early and openly the audience’s WIIFM – What’s In It For Me?, action steps and benefits.

4.   Read cues and adjust. Practicing is good, but not if you can’t adapt to external cues. Create an experience that’s specific to your audience – whether it’s one person, or one hundred.