Being an effective communicator is more important than you think. You need to be more effective with your communication when it comes to leading your team. 

In a time like this, where things are going so fast and we’re dealing with many different challenges; communication is at a premium. 

So, it needs to be efficient. 

It needs to be effective and the message needs to be received. 

People are not able to execute when there’s not good communication amongst your team. 

Many things could go wrong, especially in healthcare. 

People can die if you don’t have good communication.  

If information is not relayed in the right way, to the right person, at the right time, it could cost someone their life.  

In almost every industry, this is the same: a lack of communication will cost you something big. 

Communication is paramount. 

Being an effective communicator is one of the most important leadership skills that you can gain. 

Here are a few things to think about as you communicate with your team. 

Three Things to Understand to Become a More Effective Communicator 

1. Communication in three parts 

Communication comes in three parts: the words you choose, the tone you use and body language. 

The words you use are only 7% of effective communication. 

The tone is 38% of effective communication. 

Body language is 55% of effective communication. 

Body language is more important than your tone and the words you say. 

As a leader, you must be mindful of how you’re using your body language to communicate. 

People can tell when you’re excited, inspired, and confident. 

They can also tell when you’re not confident. 

One thing I’ve consistently seen are leaders that fidget as they speak. 

They move back and forth or wring their hands. 

This doesn’t exude any confidence, no matter what you’re saying. 

You must master these three parts of communication. 

2. Understanding visual vs. auditory learners 

You need to think about the people who receive your messages as different type of learners. 

There are visual learners that are paying attention to how you look when delivering a message. 

They’re also paying attention to the presentation you are sharing while delivering the message. 

They won’t hear the words from your mouth. They’re focusing on the images they see. 

You must understand that some people are visual learners, but others are auditory learners. 

They will focus extensively on the words you say and the tone of those words.  

The images will be distracting to them. 

They don’t care what your hair looks like or what dress you have on; only your words. 

Is your voice quivering? 

Do you sound confused? 

Are you say “um” too many times? 

You must understand the differences in the type of people receiving your message. 

3. The last learner 

There is another type of learner that differs from visual and auditory learners. 

This is the kinesthetic learner. 

They don’t learn by watching you or hearing your words. 

They learn by getting their hands dirty and getting involved.  

You may try to tell your team how to take blood pressure, but this won’t make sense to them. 

You must show them. 

Walk them through it. 

That is the way they’re going to learn. 

People learn differently, and I want to reinforce that to you. 

It is really important to become an effective communicator, especially in the times we are in now. 

It will allow you to minimize mistakes and other problems you have in your organization. 

If you don’t know where to go for information on how you can become a more effective communicator, connect with me on LinkedIn. 

I will share with you places to get more information.