Communicating to Lead and Motivate

Effective Leaders lead by communicating. It is through communication that leadership is enacted as leaders influence followers to behave in ways that achieve the leader s and the organization s goals. This book applies leadership theory and research to communication in ways that are easily understood and can be applied to any situation where individuals find themselves in a leadership position in an organization whether as a front-line or top-level leader. The book begins with a basic explanation of the leadership process and how leaders express their vision. While ’vision’ implies looking into the distant future at the top of organizations, vision can be as simple as knowing and expressing what needs to be done to accomplish small tasks on the front lines. Leading requires followers. The second chapter looks at the role of followers and how leaders can create positive relationships with followers that pay off in effective performance. Chapter three continues to explore these relationships through effective leaders listening to followers to make better decisions and more positive relationships. Chapter four begins to investigate how leaders motivate their followers. Creating follower self-efficacy, trust, and valued rewards are keys to successful leadership. This chapter gives specific advice to leaders concerning how to create positive expectations Leaders use a variety of messages to motivate followers to perform effectively. The next chapter examines these messages, which can be categorized as giving directions, creating meaning, and expressing empathy. The chapter introduces the concept of Motivating Language (ML), presents a brief review of the research that indicates the positive impact of using ML with followers on a variety of performance-related variables. The bulk of the chapter explains the kinds of messages that leaders use to motivate followers. While not all leaders have to lead changes in their organizations, this may be the most difficult task they face. Chapter six looks at ways that effective leaders communicate in leading change. The final chapter reviews the different ways that leaders communicate, and gives guidance for practicing effective leader communication. Three Appendices illustrate role-playing scenarios that leaders can use to practice using motivating language with their followers.