Communication is the exchange of information through different modes like orally or through writing using different media. The goal of communication is to have a transparent flow of information to attain certain objectives like meeting company goals. In leadership and business, communication is the lifeblood of survival and success (Barrett, 2013) . An effective leader needs to have the right communication skills to pass on information to others. Effective leadership involves combining skills, character, and ideas to ensure success but the most important part is communication and the strategies an effective leader will apply while communicating.
Communication Strategies
Effective leadership is associated with the great character and the success of a group or team. In all facets of life, communication is a core aspect to ensure achievement of goals and objectives. Effective leaders need to learn and grow in character, skills, and abilities to ensure they are able to meet objectives. Using communication, a leader can be effective in their work. Great communication strategies can help a leader improve their skills in communication and make them more effective (Hiebert & Klatt, 2001) .
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One communication strategy that associates with effective leadership is identifying and understanding your audience. Identifying and understanding an audience is paramount in determining how to tailor the message to suit the particular audience. For instance, in the workplace, communication strategies will differ based on the departments to ensure the audience can relate and understand the message. People understand better through experience hence tailoring the message will ensure effective communication (Hiebert & Klatt, 2001) .
Every message has a particular goal or objective that a leader would like known to others. The best strategy in communication is to ensure that the message clearly specifies the objective. An effective message structure should address the problem, action, benefit, and have a clear relationship between these aspects. A message that communicates the core objective ensures effective leadership through raising awareness and increasing involvement in the issue (Hiebert & Klatt, 2001) . According to Henry Fayol, commanding and coordinating are among the core functions of management – these functions require managers to communicate clearly to achieve the objectives of each function. Clear communication involves having focused and concise messages that indicate all that is required.
An effective leader who knows their audience is also able to select the right medium to get the message out. Each audience will resonate differently with a message based on its structure and communication medium. The medium will create a great connection with your audience and appeal to them emotionally and intellectually. The right medium will help reach your audience faster and more effectively.
Over and above the technical strategies, active listening is a core aspect of proper communication. Active listening is a strategy in communication that allows parties to actively hear what the other person says, understand it, and respond accordingly. Active listening improves mutual understanding between a leader and their group. Communication can only be effective if there is feedback to ensure the flow of ideas and thoughts. A leader can actively listen to their audience to help them in decision-making and create relationships and a sense of belonging to their audience.
Case: Effective Communication as a Leader
William needs to know his audience to improve his communication skills. Understanding his audience will help him choose the right medium, mode, and structure of communicating. Clearly, employees would prefer communication through electronic modes and in meetings. William should incorporate this strategy in his leadership to ensure effective communication. Active listening is another strategy that will boost communication effectiveness (Barrett, 2013) . The employees do not have a place to share their ideas and give feedback making them feel unhappy. Active listening is a strategy that will give them room to share their ideas and have them heard and understood by other parties.
In conjunction with active listening, William needs to incorporate employee involvement in his leadership. Employee involvement is the direct participation of personnel to help a firm meet its objectives and mission. Employee involvement is a management and leadership philosophy on how people are included in the improvement and success of an organization. Involvement increases ownership and commitments and fosters an environment of motivated and creative employees.
According to Maslow, self-actualization needs are the most influential needs that can lead to motivation when these needs are met. An employee wants to be in full use of their talents, abilities, and skills to get to their full potential. Employee involvement is one way that can help meet the needs of self-actualization and consequently lead to motivation (Taormina & Gao, 2013) . William should apply the continuum of leadership that is subordinate-centered to ensure involvement. This leadership style involves consulting and joining, that is, sharing the problem with the employees, getting suggestions, and making decisions to ensure they are involved. A part of the style is active listening to motivate employees them in being productive (Tannenbaum & Schmidt, 1973) .
Conclusion
A leader needs to have effective communication skills to ensure they are effective. Communication is a key aspect of effective leadership involving sharing of ideas and information. As a way of communicating effectively , leaders should know and understand their audience to help them tailor their messages in a relatable way. Effective communication is achieved through the use of focused and concise messages. Leaders also need to listen actively to their audience as an involvement strategy. Involvement creates a sense of belonging and motivates people to do their job.
References
Barrett, D. (2013). Leadership Communication. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Hiebert, M., & Klatt, B. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Leadership: A Practical Guide to Popular Leadership Theories and Techniques. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Tannenbaum, R., & Schmidt, W. (1973). How to Choose a Leadership Pattern. Harvard Business Review, 51 , 162-180.
Taormina, R., & Gao, J. (2013). Maslow and the Motivation Hierarchy: Measuring Satisfaction of the Needs. The American Journal of Psychology, 126 (2), 155-177.
