Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Communication: Without it you travel alone, 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell
"People will not follow you if they do not know what you want or where you are going."
Maxwell gives 4 steps leaders should follow to ensure they are communicating effectively:
1.) Simplify your message.
Followers are not looking to be impressed with big words and flashy power point presentations; instead, all they want is a leader who is able to communicate a vision in a simple and memorable fashion. I believe that this simplicity and clarity in the leader's communication affords the follower a confidence with which to follow the leader. Without this simplicity, followers are unsure where the leader is taking them.
2.) See the Person.
Maxwell here is admonishing leaders to exegete their audience. Leaders must know and appreciate the cultural nuances of their followers in order to allow for the maximum penetration of the leader's message.
3.) Show the truth.
Leaders must communicate with authenticity. Leaders can accomplish this by not only talking the talk but walking the walk. A leader's genuine passion is contagious; consequently, followers will follow a leader who is sold out to his or her vision.
4.) Seek a response.
Maxwell says: "the goal of all communication is action." Therefore, it is not enough simply to convey information to followers. Instead, followers need to know what they are to do with this new information. Leaders effectively communicate when they call followers to action.
After reading these 4 steps for effective communication, how would you evaluate your ability to effectively communicate as a leader in your present ministry context?
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Great Post Michael. I can't say that I agree with everything that Maxwell writes but I agree with these four steps to effective communication. I especially liked the first point. I was recently reading in Corinthians (2 Cor1.12) and I was struck by Paul’s use of the term “simplicity.” This is the only time that this word is translated in English as “simplicity” even though it is used in other ways to mean “singleness, sincerity, and frankness.” Paul conveys his confidence that he has acted in simplicity and sincerity toward the Corinthians church. Out of everything that he could have stated, his conversions, his arguments, his friendships and contacts, he is most proud of his simplicity and sincerity that came from God. Paul often recognizes that he never came with eloquent words but in the power of the Holy Spirit. His fondest memories seem to be the in uncomplicated moments when God was able to truly use him. Often in our attempts to perform and seem profound we complicate simple messages. Yet, leadership is not defined my complexity and glitz but rather sincerity and simplicity. People can’t follow what they don’t understand. Thanks for reminding me of this.
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