Corporate Communication

Communication is a fundamental term that crosses cultures, countries, and communities.  Indeed, after a quick Google search, over 1.4 billion connections were found for this word that refers to the “imparting and exchanging of information.”

The concept of communication is also essential in corporate communities. Why?  First and foremost, because every Corporate Family® consists of people who are wired for communicating.  Your team members must interact with one another effectively in order for your company to be successful.  In addition, they must be able to connect with your clientele—sharing and receiving information efficiently—to meet the goals of your business plan.  Many leaders are becoming more convinced of the importance of hiring exceptional communicators.  In fact, a survey done by Hart Research Associates in 2013 revealed that over 90 percent of employers reported good communication skills were of more value than a college graduate’s major (go to  http://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/communication-affects-productivity-statistics-27004.html for more information on how communication impacts productivity).

There is often a misconception that leaders need to be great orators to communicate well.  In today’s world, messaging must also come across in written form, especially with increased electronic communications.  No matter what your ability level may be right now, communication—like many other leadership skill sets—can be improved over time.  Remember too that words alone are only 7% of total communication; 93% of our interactions include how things are said as well as the actions behind the messaging.

In The Leading Edge (Wilke & Wilke, 2010), we reveal numerous ways leaders can field, develop, and maintain high performance teams using exceptional communication skills.  For instance, in order to connect with individuals in your sphere of influence, you must communicate with:

• Clarity
• Connectedness
• Purpose
• Honesty
• Passion

We also agree with workplace expert and author Lynn Taylor who reports, “The best bosses know that their success is tied to their team, so they consistently remain in close communications with them, and expect that of their managers, too” (see the Business Insider article “30 Things the Best Bosses Always Say,” October 16, 2014 for more of Taylor’s thoughts on the topic).  Consistency is key to success in many aspects of life, and this is certainly true of corporate communication.

As always, we encourage leaders to implement these exceptional skill sets in all aspects of their lives—personally and professionally.  The benefits will be felt by everyone in your sphere of influence as you put these tips for improving communication into practice!