It is impossible to remove communication from leadership. However, several levels of relationships exist in an organization. For example, a leader with executive presence should be able to navigate these levels of relationships, and the tool for achieving this is excellent communication.

Effective communication entails clear thinking and the ability to express ideas coherently to diverse individuals. In most organizations, the flow of information is usually fast and, if not properly managed, can lead to information overload. A leader with an executive presence knows how to manage the information flow in the organization.

Importance Facts about Communication

There are a lot of diverse perspectives as to the best way to view communication in the organization for a leader whose concern is building executive presence. However, before going out to work on your communication skills, have these facts at the back of your mind:

• Communication is most effective when it is authentic. In the same way, a dog can smell fear from a distance; people can identify when you are not original in your communication. People will always naturally navigate to an authentic leader. Most leaders spend so much time trying to build eloquence. However, if you are eloquent and not authentic, you won't support and respect those you lead. So, while building eloquence in communication, also give attention to making sure you are authentic.

• Beyond learning the best way to pass information across, also be intentional about improving your listening skills. Listening is a vital skill in communication. There is a series of feedback across the different levels of the organization. This feedback can be verbal and non-verbal. A lot of things are being said even when people do not talk through their body language. 

Critical listening, therefore, demands that beyond hearing what people are saying verbally, you should also master the skill of reading people's body language. One of the ways to get feedback is to ask questions that will give you an insight into people's perceptions and thought processes.

• Communication is most effective when you are visible as a leader. While you can pass information to your teams using different means like phone calls, text messages, and video calls, you sometimes also need to be physically present. The leader's presence with an executive presence among his teams has a way of boosting their morale and giving them the required boost to meet established goals. Ensure you are not a leader on leave.

Tips for Effective Communication

Effective communication requires the leader to master different communication skills. A leader seeking to build an executive presence through communication can utilize the under-listed tips.

#1. Communicate clearly

Communication is not yet complete until the information passed across is fully understood by the receiver and there is feedback. To achieve clear communication, you may need to be simple and direct and ensure you eliminate every form of ambiguity and complexity.

Always bear in mind that the result of communication is understanding. Therefore, ensure you communicate directly. Being physically present while sharing can help make communication easier as people tend to hear your voice and see your body language. However, virtual communication makes clear speaking a necessity.

To help you maintain clarity in communication, ensure that you have a set goal from the onset. Without a set goal in mind, it becomes difficult to communicate effectively with those listening to you. While speaking, ensure that information, as well as required actions, are spelled out and understood.

#2. Be Concise

Being as brief and direct as possible in your communication will work to your advantage. Lengthy conversations can increase ambiguity. Therefore, to ensure that the recipient clearly understands what you want to pass across, it is best to keep the conversation short.

As much as possible, try and remove filler words that weaken and lengthen your communication. Additionally, ensure you avoid repeating the same points, especially when you are not trying to emphasize them.

#3. Listen with the Aim of Learning

Listening is an essential skill that helps to heighten effective communication. But it is not enough to listen. It would be best if you listened with the aim of learning. Effective communicators are not in love with their voices. They are comfortable with silence and are willing to listen to get feedback.

Encourage your team to give feedback and air their views of shared tasks. You can build a connection with your colleagues and teammates through listening that will eventually strengthen your executive presence. In addition, you can create a psychological haven around you through listening so that people will always want to come to you.

People have a sense of value when others listen to them. Therefore, do not deny your team the opportunity to feel valued by always being the only one talking. Also, allow your team to express their views and pay keen attention when they do so.

#4. Inspire your Team

Your communication aims to inspire others into action and not only to persuade and convince. Leaders who inspire their teams through their words are more likely to command a high executive presence than those who don't. Inspired communication will get people to believe in what you are trying to achieve and in themselves.

One of a leader's most significant resources is an inspired team. An inspired team believes in themselves. As a result of this belief, they are likely to actualize more. Learning the skills needed for inspired communication will enable you to make the most of the human resources available at your disposal.

#5. Persuade by Championing Ideas

To persuade others, the leader must understand their needs. As a leader, you will be consistently faced with the critical task of persuading others to collaborate and achieve established goals. To achieve this, the leader will need to learn persuasive communication.

The organization and team will thrive more if people can temporarily set aside personal goals and work collaboratively to achieve set goals. However, the leader has a role to play in ensuring this happens by putting their persuasive skills to work. People naturally navigate towards those who persuade them to be better and achieve more. As you keep working on your persuasive skills, your communication will improve alongside your executive presence.

Conclusion

The importance of communication in building executive presence cannot be overemphasized. Individuals should therefore be intentional about developing their skills, which inadvertently works to their advantage in the long run.