SME to Leader #4: Communicating Effectively

As a technical SME, you may have mastered the technical aspects of your job, however as you transition into a leadership role, you will need to develop strong communication skills. Effective communication is a crucial aspect of leading teams, and it can make or break your success as a leader. In this blog post, we will explore some key principles and practices for communicating effectively, including listening, speaking, and writing.

This is the fourth part of a 12-part series, if you have landed here and want to know more about the series drop me a line and leave your details at the bottom of the page.

Listen actively

Effective communication starts with active listening. This means not only hearing what someone is saying but also understanding their perspective and demonstrating that you are engaged in the conversation. Active listening requires concentration, patience, and empathy. To be an effective listener, you should:

• Pay attention: Focus on the person who is speaking, and avoid distractions.
• Clarify: If you are unsure of what someone is saying, ask for clarification.
• Summarize: Repeat what you heard to confirm your understanding and show that you are engaged.
• Empathize: Put yourself in the speaker’s shoes and try to understand their perspective.

Speak clearly

Once you have listened actively, it’s time to respond. Speaking clearly is important to ensure that your message is understood. To communicate effectively when speaking, you should:

• Be concise: Get to the point and avoid unnecessary details.
• Use clear language: Avoid jargon or technical terms that others may not understand.
• Speak with confidence: Believe in what you are saying and convey that through your tone and body language.
• Be respectful: Communicate your message in a way that is respectful and considerate of others.

Write effectively

In addition to listening and speaking, effective communication also involves writing. Whether you are sending an email or writing a report, clear and concise writing can make all the difference. To write effectively, you should:

• Know your audience: Understand who will be reading your message and tailor your writing accordingly.
• Use clear and concise language: Avoid unnecessary words and write in a way that is easy to understand.
• Proofread: Check your work for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Be professional: Write in a way that is professional and respectful.

By mastering these communication skills, you can build trust and credibility with your team. Good communication skills can help you to establish a clear vision, set expectations, and build strong relationships with team members. As a leader, it’s important to be an effective communicator, and these skills are essential to your success.

Additional Resources

Additionally, I have added further resources for exploring:

• “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High” by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
• “The Art of Communicating” by Thich Nhat Hanh
• “The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking” by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird

Key Takeaways

As you transition from a technical SME to a leader of teams, effective communication is a key skill to develop. By listening actively, speaking clearly, and writing effectively, you can build trust and credibility with your team and set yourself up for success.

Other Helpful References

here are some references to the best thinkers in this space and their relevant works:

1. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
2. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
3. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
4. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss
5. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently by John C. Maxwell

Great Reference Material

These books offer insights into effective communication strategies, tools for improving listening and speaking skills, and the importance of understanding the psychology of persuasion, they also provide examples of how great communicators stand out from the rest and offer actionable steps for improving communication skills.

Additionally, here are some academic references that delve deeper into the subject:

1. “The Art of Listening” by Lesley University
2. “Effective Listening: The Forgotten Skill” by The Harvard Negotiation Project
3. “The Science of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini, Regents Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University

These articles offer a more academic approach to the topic and provide empirical evidence to support effective communication strategies. They delve into the science of listening, persuasive tactics, and the forgotten art of effective communication.

Links to academic articles:

1. “The Art of Listening” by Lesley University
2. “Effective Listening: The Forgotten Skill” by The Harvard Negotiation Project
3. “The Science of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini, Regents Professor
4. “The Communication Strategies of Effective Leaders: Demonstrating Strategic Communication through Effective Listening, Credibility, and Trust” by Janie Harden Fritz, published in the Journal of Business Communication.
5. “The Role of Communication in Effective Leadership” by Kirsten Cronlund Anderson, published in the Journal of Leadership Education.
6. “Speaking to Be Heard: How Effective Leaders Communicate” by Laura M. Graves and Steven H. Segal, published in the Journal of Business and Psychology.
7. “The Power of Effective Communication” by Sonia Ospina and David Weisbord, published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review.

I hope these additional resources are helpful to you!