EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION & LEADERSHIP

by
TEHRIM IQBAL
 The Importance of Communication Skills
for Business Leaders as expressed
by Business Authorities
“Top executives from Fortune 500 companies rate
communications skills as the most important quality for
business leaders.”
New York Times
Business Section

“There may be no single thing more important in our efforts

to achieve meaningful work and fulfilling relationships
than to learn and practice the art of communication.”
The Art of Leadership
Max De Pree, Author
 Original Message
Percentage of Understanding lost in communication
100 Percent
Top mgt’s understanding
63 percent
VP Understanding
56 percent
General mgr’s understanding
40 percent
Average Division mgr’s understanding
Average
30 percent
Information Information
Unit mgr’s understanding
20 percent
Loss Employee’s understanding Loss
 We need to
improve communication... as

70 % of our communication efforts are:

• misunderstood
• misinterpreted
• rejected
• distorted or
• not heard

4
 Cost of Correspondence
• One page business letter that took 10 minutes to
dictate cost between $50-$100.

• Poor writing costs even more since it

o Waste Time.
o Wastes Effort.
o Jeopardizes goodwill.
 THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE
IS THE QUALITY OF YOUR COMMUNICATION ~
BOTH WITH YOURSELF & OTHERS
 Think > listen > talk
March 2, 2023 7
 Communication

"You are not only responsible for

what you say, but also for what
you do not say."
– Martin Luther 
 Need for Communication

1.Very strong in Human beings

2.Considered as a basic need, as in the case of
eating, sleeping, etc.
3.Established as both social & individual need
 COMMUNICATION

• Communication is the process of sending

and receiving information.
 COMMUNICATION

The sharing of information between two or more

individuals or groups to reach a common
understanding (but not necessarily an agreement).
THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
 Most common ways to
communicate
a ges
a l I m
ng Visu
a k i
Spe

Bod
y La
Writing ngu
a ge
What are the hardest things to
say?
Hardest Things to Say

I Was
I Don’t
Wrong
Know

I Need
Help
March 2, 2023 16
 Words Are Energy

• Never use words like defeats, failure & problem.

Always talk of “Hope, Belief, Faith, Victory &
Success.”
• When you use a Positive word, it raises your
Energy Levels & Putting you in a
“Winning Frame of Mind.”
• Words are Energy use
them in your favor!!
 Communication Goals
To change behavior

To get and give

To get action
Information

To persuade To ensure understanding

Source: CGAP Direct

 COMMUNICATION – Do you know?

• PEOPLE REMEMBER:
– 10 % of what they read
– 20 % of what they hear
– 30 % of what they see
– 50 % of what they see and hear
– 80 % of what they say
– 90 % of what they say and do
 COMMUNICATION – Do you know?

• If you tell people something without

repetition:
– After 24 hours, 25 % have forgotten it
– After 48 hours, 50 % have forgotten it
– After 72 hours, 75 % have forgotten it
– After one week, 96 % have forgotten it
 Myths and Realities
about the nature of communication
 Myths and Realities

Myth #1:

We communicate only when we intend to.

 Myths and Realities

Myth #1: We communicate only when we intend to.

Reality:
We frequently send messages we are not aware of.
 Myths and Realities

Myth #2:
We communicate as if words themselves had specific
meanings.
 Myths and Realities

Myth #2: We communicate as if words

themselves had specific meanings.

Reality:
Words do not have specific meaning; meanings
are in people.
 Myths and Realities

Myth # 3:
Communication is a one-way activity of
TELLING people something.
 Myths and Realities

Myth # 3:
Communication is a one-way activity of TELLING people
something.

Reality:
Communicating is a two-way activity in which feedback is
vital.
 Myths and Realities

Myth # 4:
You can give others too much
information.
 Myths and Realities
Myth #4:
You can give others too much information.
Reality:
Information overload can be just as much of a
problem as not having enough information.
 Forms of
Communication
 FORMS OF COMMUNICATION

Verbal Communication: The sharing of information by means of words, either spoken or written.

Nonverbal Communication: The sharing of information by means of facial expressions, body

language, and mode of dress.
 WHY COMMUNICATE?

To convey information
To receive information
To gain acceptance for you or your ideas
To motivate other people
To maintain relationships with coworkers, clients, etc.
To establish trust
To produce action or change
To understand the wants and needs of your stakeholders
To express your emotions or feelings
 COMMUNICATION DIRECTIONS

• Communication occurs in 4 directions in organizations:

– Upward communications

– Downward communications

– Lateral communications

– Diagonal communications
 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

• WHAT you say is not nearly as important as

HOW you say it!
• A dull message delivered by a good
communicator will be accepted as brilliant. 
• An excellent message delivered by someone
who is not interested in the topic, will not take
the attention of its audience.
 Written
Communication
TYPES OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

• Letters
• Memos
• Minutes of meetings
• Web-based documents
• Reports
• Instructions
• Feasibility studies • Questionnaires/
• Emails surveys
• Promotional material
• Employment contracts
• Other documents
Listening Skills
 HEARING & LISTENING
Hearing:
 Hearing occurs when your ears pick up sound
waves being transmitted by a speaker.
 Hearing is an INACTIVE, INVOLUNTARY
process.
Listening:
 Listening involves recognizing, understanding
and accurately interpreting messages received.
 Listening is an ACTIVE, VOLUNTARY process
which requires ENERGY.
 HOW TO LISTEN?

God has given people two ears

but only one tongue, which is a
gentle guide that they should
listen more than they talk.

Decision makers who do not listen have less

information for making sound decisions.
 Listening Guides at the Workplace

Stop talking. You cannot listen if you are talking

Think before you speak
Show the talker that you want to listen.
Remove distractions.
Be patient.
Hold your temper.
Go easy with arguments and criticisms.
Keep an open mind
Postpone judgment
Be alert and in the present
Ask questions to show interest.
Presentations
People judge your presentation
based on how you present
 CHARACTERISTICS OF SPEECH

 Pitch (how high or low the voice is)

 Tempo (rate of speaking)
 Rhythm (timing and emphasis on words)
 Articulation (how clearly words are
pronounced)
 TYPES OF PRESENTATIONS

Present project proposals or updates

Deliver oral briefings and advice
Inform colleagues of workplace procedures
Provide one-to-one or group instructions
Online presentations
Report on team meetings
Promote your organisation’s products & services
 TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL
PRESENTATIONS
 Relax before presentation.
 Know your material.
 Visualize yourself giving your speech.
 Know the room.
 Know the audience.
 Realize that people want you to succeed.
 Don't apologize.
 Concentrate on the message - not the medium.
 Practice builds confidence.
 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
DOs and DON'Ts

 DO be direct, courteous and calm

 DON'T be rude and pushy
 DO acknowledge that what works for you may not work for
others
 DON'T make personal attacks
 DO say main points first, then offer more details if necessary
 DON'T expect others to follow your advice or always agree
with you
 DO listen for hidden feelings
 DON'T suggest changes that a person can not easily make.
 COMMUNICATION FEEDBACK

 We may say that communication has occurred

only when the message has been understood.
 Understanding occurs in the mind of the
receiver.
 Feedback is critical to ensure that accurate
understanding of the message has occurred.
 REASONS FOR
COMMUNICATION FAILURE
• Info overload.
• Message complexity.
• Message competition.
• Differing status.
• Lack of trust.
• Inadequate structures.
• Unethical communication.
• Physical distraction.
• Incorrect choice of medium.
SKILLS OF A GOOD LEADER

Speak and write clearly

Listen actively
Give feedback
Make eye contact
Avoid interrupting
Respect the views of others
Ask questions
Use appropriate body language
 Final thoughts

Strong communication skills are crucial for

efficient & effective performance.

Strong communication set the tone of our

relationships.
 Thank you
for your kind attention!

FACILITATOR
Tehrim Iqbal