Leadership Through Language: Mastering the Art of Effective Communication

Samchetsabam Ratankumar Singh *

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." - Nelson Mandela

The best communicators don’t just aim to be heard; they ensure that others feel heard, valued, and understood. We often fail—not because we lack intelligence or effort, but because we fail to communicate effectively.

As someone who has spent years mastering the craft of communication and able to get the path through it, I can say with confidence that the ability to articulate ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. As the saying goes, "The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." Let's ensure our words truly connect with our audience.

The Power of Observing Great Communicators

One of the most effective ways to improve any skill is by studying those who have already mastered it. Communication is no exception. I have spent years analyzing and learning from some of the greatest communicators, and here’s what I’ve discovered: great communicators are not born; they are made.

They cultivate habits that enable them to influence, persuade, and inspire. Whether you are trying to navigate a difficult conversation, motivate a team, or simply ensure your message is understood, mastering the art of communication can make all the difference.

Communicating Clearly and Concisely: The SHARP Method

Being clear and concise is fundamental to effective communication. A cluttered message is a lost message. I use a simple acronym—SHARP—to ensure my communication is impactful.

o S - Start by Thinking, Not Talking: Before speaking, take a moment to structure your thoughts. Ask yourself: Who am I speaking to? What do I want them to take away? Thoughtful preparation ensures clarity.

o H - Hone in on the Main Idea Quickly: People have short attention spans. Get to the point before they get distracted. If your audience spends more time figuring out your message than absorbing it, you’ve already lost them.

o A - Add Details Sparingly: Provide just enough context to support your point but avoid information overload. Every detail should help the audience feel, understand, believe, or take action.

o R - Read the Room: Pay attention to body language and reactions. Are they engaged? Confused? Adjust accordingly to maintain their attention and interest.

o P - Precisely Conclude: Land your message smoothly. Reinforce your main points and leave your audience with a clear call to action.

Maya Angelou once said, "People may not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel." Precision and clarity create memorable and impactful communication.

Balanced Communication: Flexing Opposing Leadership Muscles

Great communicators are not one-dimensional; they know how to balance opposing communication styles to maximize impact. The best leaders come across as confident yet humble, demanding yet empathetic, calm yet urgent, candid yet kind, fearless yet intentional, courageous yet realistic. They provide both reality and hope.

For example, if you are too candid without tempering it with kindness, you risk being perceived as uncaring. On the other hand, if you are too kind without being candid, you may come across as out of touch. The key is to strike the right balance based on the situation and audience.

The Motivating Match Exercise:

1. Identify the primary tone you need to set for a given communication.
2. Determine the balancing tone that will ensure your message is well received.
3. Craft supporting messages that incorporate both tones to drive the desired response.

For example, if an organization's results are underwhelming, you may choose to be demanding yet empathetic:
o Demanding: "Where we are is unacceptable. We simply must do better."
o Empathetic: "I appreciate how hard it has been and acknowledge that it won’t get easier."

Similarly, when celebrating success, a leader might want to be confident yet humble:
o Confident: "We've been outstanding and have the talent to keep the momentum."
o Humble: "There's still so much we can learn and room to get better."

Practicing balanced communication enhances credibility and influence, ensuring your message resonates and drives the right outcomes.

Preparing to Actively Listen: The PEAK Listening Model

A telltale sign of poor communication is poor listening. Research shows that while 96% of people believe they are good listeners, the average person retains only half of what they hear. The best communicators make a habit of actively listening, which can be developed through the PEAK Listening Model:

o P - Prepare to Listen: Before engaging in a conversation, clear your mind using the Wet Sponge Method—imagine wiping a dry erase board clean to remove distracting thoughts. Ask yourself, "What has my attention right now?" If it’s not the person in front of you, redirect your focus.

o E - Engage Fully: Be present in the moment. Reduce distractions like multitasking and put away your smartphone. Research shows multitasking reduces productivity by 40% and creates a false sense of efficiency.

o A - Acknowledge and Respond Thoughtfully: Show interest through verbal and non-verbal cues. Nodding, summarizing key points, and asking clarifying questions enhance engagement.

o K - Keep the Conversation Flowing: Encourage open dialogue by maintaining eye contact, using affirmations, and avoiding interruptions.

Much like a baby’s wide-eyed curiosity draws people in, active listening fosters connection and trust. By committing to single-tasking and fully engaging, you create deeper, more meaningful interactions.

Writing Emails That Get Results

We send countless emails daily, yet many fail to achieve their intended purpose. To ensure your emails are effective, ask yourself these five critical questions before hitting send:
1. Is the purpose of the email clear? State the reason for your email in the subject line and opening sentence.
2. Does it capture interest quickly? Highlight a problem or benefit to keep the reader engaged.
3. Is it easy to skim? Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings.
4. Is the desired action clear? Make it easy for the recipient to respond or take action.
5. Is there unnecessary repetition? Eliminate redundancy to enhance clarity.

A well-crafted email is a powerful tool that can drive action, strengthen relationships, and improve efficiency.

Delivering Persuasive Presentations: The COMPEL Model

One of the most mishandled aspects of communication is giving persuasive presentations. To ensure I stay on track, I use the COMPEL model:
o C - Catch Their Attention: Start with a compelling statement or question or quotation.
o O - Outline the Background: Provide context to frame your clear and loud message
o M - Make a Recommendation: Clearly state the action you want the audience to take.
o P - Present the Positives: Highlight the benefits of your recommendation.
o E - Explain with Evidence: Support your points with facts, examples, and logic.
o L - Land the Plane: End with a strong call to action.

Final Thoughts

Communication is an art that can be mastered with deliberate practice. Whether through speaking, writing, or presenting, the ability to communicate effectively opens doors to influence, leadership, and success. If you build the right habits, you’ll find that people not only listen to you but also remember and act on what you say.

So, the next time you engage in a conversation, write an email, or step up to give a presentation, ask yourself: Am I being clear, concise, and compelling? Am I balancing my communication to motivate the right response? Because in the end, great communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about making an impact.