The Point: “Training is a waste of time!” a leader stated proudly in a recent executive coaching conversation. “I already know it all!” is what they should have said! In this post, we challenge you to ask yourself five (5) questions to see if communication skills training for leaders is right for you. After all, the best thing you can do for yourself is invest in communication skills training for leaders… Enjoy!
There are seminars, books, and courses dedicated to teaching leaders communications skills. This is because even leaders need communication training. So, if you are a senior executive or even a CEO, communication training for INC 5000 organizations can prove to be invaluable.
However, in order for such training to be fruitful, you must be mentally prepared. The following are 5 essential questions that will help determine if leadership communications skills training is right for you or not:
Do People Really Listen To Me?
Since you are already in a position of leadership, you will find that people do respond to what you are saying. However, ask yourself, are they really listening, or just complying to your authority as subordinates? You never really know if you are an effective communicator unless you come in contact with people who are not obligated to listen to you, such as media personalities. So, if you think you may experience conveying your message to the latter, you definitely need training.
To What Extent Is Leadership Communication Skills Training Relevant?
But what if you don’t talk to media personnel that much? What then is the use of communication skills training? The fact is that learning to make a great first impression with your communication skills is relevant to all areas of your life, both personal and professional. This will help you network effectively, and thereby add more members to your group of contacts.
What Skills Specifically Will I Learn In Leadership Communications Skills Training?
In its essence, communication skills training for leaders teaches you to choose the right things to say in the most effective manner. In the context of communication, it means being persuasive, assertive, and not letting the audience take control. This is achieved via:
- One-to-one and group sessions
- Recorded sessions to evaluate delivery skills
- Mock interviews, meetings, and social settings (i.e., cocktail parties)
What Major Benefits Do Leadership Communication Skills Training Offer?
Perhaps the most amazing benefit of communications skills training for leaders is that you learn to execute your message with clarity. No matter which industry you operate in, the ability to explain what you do in layman term’s goes a long in building credibility and positioning yourself an expert in your community.
What Can I Do to Follow-Up Leadership Communication Skills Training?
Since communication skills training for leaders is an ongoing educational initiative, you should look to elicit follow-up from your trainers. Specifically, you should look to reinforce your training, analyze results and offer further coaching for improving communication results. That way, your skills remain as sharp as ever instead of waning down a few months after you complete training.
SUMMARY
So, to sum it up, communication skills training for leaders is right for you if you don’t feel confident in front of new/old audiences, you want to be an effective speaker 24/7, and you want to build instant credibility.
