16 January 2020
Conversation Styles That Ruin Your Leadership Presence
Every one of us has an unspoken desire to be perceived as a competent professional with the skills and potential to lead, specifically in the workplace environment. However, it can often be difficult to determine exactly how to achieve a true executive presence. Especially when there are many contrasting opinions regarding this matter. The volume at which you talk, the tone of your voice, and the speed of your speech may all be a contributing factor in how you are perceived professionally.
According to Rufino (2007), the communication skills of a leader encompass three aspects; namely, Oral, Written and Non-Verbal.
Aspects of Communication Skills. Adapted from: Rufino (2007); Bristol and Yeatts (2010).
The reason why these factors are so important, is because the mere adaption of your tone or volume of speech may aid in bringing your opinion across effectively- so as to not be undermined- as well as strengthening your negotiating power - which is a highly sort after tool in the corporate world.
If you are to lead your team effectively and to be perceived as a true leader the following styles of conversations should be on top of your list to AVOID:
The use of language fillers
The use of fillers such as ‘uhm’ or colloquial terms such as ‘like’ or ‘literally’ can almost always degrade the level of quality in your speech in the workplace. The use of such language fillers can often be perceived as a lack of intelligence and/or confidence.
As a leader it is important to sound confident in how you bring across thoughts, opinions and/or instructions… after all it is easier to trust and be guided by someone who sounds decisive and affirmative. Often more times than not, the use of language fillers go unnoticed by the user, and that is why it is essential to monitor speech by using the ‘pause’ as an effective tool to allow one to carefully sort out and execute the trail of thoughts in the mind.
Using volume of speech ineffectively
When it comes to the volume and tone of your speech, it is an essential skill as a leader to be able to adapt ones volume and tone to cater specifically to the audience or situation at hand. When one is speaking to a large group of people it is important to project your voice loudly enough as to capture the attention of all as well as have the right tone suited to the topic at hand.
This allows you to be perceived as confident. While in contrast, if you are addressing a smaller group of people it is essential to monitor the volume of your voice as to not come across as arrogant. It is all about finding a happy medium when it comes to using volume and tone as an effective tool in leadership.
Overuse of complicated language
As a leader, it is often a misconception that you have to be perceived as being more intelligent and of a higher ranking in comparison to your team.
However, being a leader means that you have to be able to connect and capture the attention of different altitudes of people, all different in the way they receive and subsequently retain information and instructions.
Therefore, it is essential that you discard the use of overcomplicated and technical ‘jargon’ and adapt a more linear form of language that will be able to ‘hit-home’ in a wide variety of types of employees/co-workers. When you use overcomplicated language it often comes across as arrogant and can often be confusing to the listeners. Keep it simple future leader!
Let CONQA help you with your preparedness to incite your leadership desires and make them come true by doing the following:
Trust yourself! - Let’s be real! We all have certain vulnerabilities. But a good leader uses their executive presence, not to show off but to create conversations and productive discussions, which ignites others to want to know more about them and the business these leaders serve. Sign up on our portal to get notified about new ways that can help you improve your leadership presence.
Personally, Connect with Individuals – being a leader is not about giving orders, but instead maximising the potential that resides within others through engagement and interaction. Register for CONQA’s leadership summits, and practice how to detect and appreciate wisdom through engagement. Our group of leaders have outlined tried and tested activities for you to get your hands on, to elevate your team to the next level today!