“The art of communication is the language of leadership.”
James Humes
A shrug. A nod. A subtle roll of the eyes.
A grimace. A shout. A series of sighs.
All of these are examples of different forms of communication. A lot can be said without uttering a single word. In situations of high stress, a simple terse word can escalate tension and conflict.
Even in email, the format and wording of just one message can set the tone for the rest of the conversation. It was important to remember to whom I was corresponding and word the email accordingly. Formalities go a long way.
During my time as a Leadership Consultant, it was important to be considerate how I communicated with my co-workers, especially during planning stages. It meant not only being aware of my tone and word choice, but also in how I listened while others were speaking to me.