3 ways to train your leaders to become better communicators

As our changing world requires leaders to become stronger communicators, those who know how to communicate best exhibit some common traits. Brad Whitworth, senior advisor of strategic services at Haiilo and International Association of Business Communicators fellow, shared his wisdom on what some of these traits are during the IABC World Conference in New York City last month.

Whitworth looked at the tips, tools and techniques used by winners of IABC’s IABC Excellence in Communication Leadership (EXCEL) Award, an honor that has been given out for 50 years to the CEO, president and manager directors who exuded communications excellence at some well-known global companies.

“Some of these things are ‘duh’ truism, but it’s also the scale upon which you are able to help move people,” Whitworth said. “You can find ways to match up these things with your corporate values and the person you’re working with.“

Here are a few of his top tips.

Whitworth began by recounting his time at HP, when fabled management guru Tom Peters was brought in and asked the leadership team who had a vision for their organization. Everyone raised their hands. He then asked who shares that vision, and all the hands dropped.