Communication is essential to leadership roles and something most of us aspire to excel at. While striving to identify the techniques that lead us to being effective as communicators, there is often a foundational principle that is missed. That principle is tying our communication to our purpose.
For example, how many times have you had someone ask a question or make a statement with no context? It tends to create confusion as to why they are asking the question or making the statement. Without context, it is difficult to understand what they are communicating. The same principle applies when we are sharing a decision without tying it to the mission of our organization.
Sharing the context of our purpose and goals allows people to buy into our direction and purpose. In fact, sharing our purpose attracts people to engage more fully in the work that we are doing. It is a key motivator to apply our best strengths and ideas and creativity. Communicating our purpose regularly is essential to strong teamwork and a healthy culture.
Simon Sinek in his book “Start with Why” details the importance of not only sharing your why or purpose, but also presenting this before you get into all the information you want to share. For example, prior to sharing a new policy, it would be most impactful to share how this policy supports your mission and then talk about the particulars.
We assume too often that people know why we do what we do, or why we make certain decisions. However, often they do not know our reasons and may create a negative narrative if they do not understand. Inevitably, this leads to problems, frustration, and confusion within our teams. Remember, studies show that people must hear the same message in seven different ways to remember and integrate that communication.
Consider linking your message to your mission or purpose before you communicate your next important update. Doing so will provide context, provide insight into why what you are saying is important, and will engage your audience in alignment with your message. Strengthen your communication by ensuring that it is purpose driven, and ensure your team is empowered to act!
