Are public speaking skills essential to being a good leader? It’s a question I read recently and at first, it was one of those things that make you say, “Well, obviously.” But as I read a little more of the question, I began to understand the person was really asking if good public speaking skills were essential to the effectiveness of a good leader.
To answer this question, you have to understand that good public speaking is part of the overall communications equation. It is important for leaders to learn to speak well. But the other part of the communications equation is important too, and has more to do with the impact of the leader in the long run, and that’s the ability of the leader to listen. An important part of listening is the ability to understand what people are telling them. This is especially important for new leaders.
It’s important for new leaders to develop the ability to listen to, and understand their workers needs and concerns. If a leader doesn’t do that, listen and gain understanding, then when they do speak, they won’t have a lot of credibility because, frankly, they don’t know what they are talking about.
There’s another element to credibility. Workers expect their leaders to represent them, to understand their concerns so when they go to those meetings that the workers never attend, they will be able to express the workers needs and concerns to everyone else. That’s what workers are looking for in the effectiveness and impact of a leader.
As a leader grows and develops and reaches more responsible positions, the ability to speak becomes more and more important. At the senior executive and CEO level, the ability to speak well, becomes even more critical. But always remember, speaking skill is nothing if you haven’t first listened so you know what you’re supposed to be saying.
Bob Mason is dedicated to leadership development. He works with companies to solve problems by helping supervisors and managers become more effective leaders leading more productive teams. He is a professional speaker and author of Don’t Worry, You Can Do This: What New Supervisors and Managers Need to Know About Leadership; The Art of Not Motivating: How Leaders Can Succeed by Understanding the True Nature of Motivation; Balancing the Generations: A Leader’s Guide to the Complex, Multi-Generational, 21st Century Workplace; and Planning to Excel: Strategic Planning That Works.
A 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force exposed him to great leaders and leadership opportunities such as command of four squadrons, including the Air Force’s largest munitions squadron. He has studied leadership extensively, but more importantly has been there, working with real people, making hard decisions, and experiencing the results.
Contact Bob at Bob@BobMasonSpeaker.com or 505-453-5266
