For LGBT-certified business owner, David Grossman, a leader is also a communicator.
And it's this sentiment on which Grossman's latest book focuses.
Grossman, owner of Chicago-based communications consulting firm, dg&a, is an expert in strategic leadership development and internal communication, and is an author three times over, with the release of his most recent book, You Can't NOT Communicate: Leadership Solutions that Power the Fortune 100.
BIZ recently spoke with Grossman about why leaders have to be effective communicators, the most common mistake leaders make, and what leaders can gain from his new book.
BIZ: They say leaders are born not made. How do you teach leadership?
DG: Being a senior leader doesn't necessarily mean you know how to communicate. I've worked with many CEOs who were surprised to learn that they were the weak links in their communication programs. Communication is a learned skill that takes practice. Look at Tiger Woods—he's the best golfer in the world, but still practices every day. Leaders don't have to be perfect, but we all need to work on flexing our leadership muscle so it gets stronger over time. A great place to start is to listen to see how you're doing in meeting your team's needs, listen to the questions people ask, and look in the mirror and check your reflection.
BIZ: What's behind the name of your new book, You Can't NOT Communicate?
DG: The reality is that absolutely everything a leader does communicates a message, whether intentional or not. Not communicating isn't an option. The most effective leaders know their success hinges on their ability to communicate. Regardless of your role or your industry or level, the bottom line is that if you're communicating, whether you want to or not, you might as well get good at it.
BIZ: Why have leaders shifted into the communicator role?
DG: We've entered what I call the dawn of the leadercommunicator. Today's leaders need to use strategic communication as a way of getting their business done. Leading is communicating—you can't separate communication from leadership. Without communication, employees lack direction and can't gauge their performance, they lack an ability to see themselves and their work in the larger picture, and they can't add value through contributing as a thinking member of the team.
What's more, you can't lead if you can't express yourself. You can only go so far on your technical skills and abilities. Leadership is getting things done and moving a business forward through others.
BIZ: What are the key traits of a skilled leader?
DG: Leaders create engagement by focusing on productivity, creating morale and building relationships. Asking questions and listening are paramount. Before you can understand a business problem or achieve a goal, you have to understand the situation. Asking questions is the best way to come at a problem from varied perspectives. A leader is not going to be effective if he or she tries to solve problems from assumptions or just the information at hand.
Leaders need to ask the right questions and then communicate clearly and effectively to set direction, expectations, accountability, and to provide ongoing feedback about results. Leaders need to ask the right questions to understand employees and what they need, what their concerns are, and what motivates them to communicate with them in a way that builds morale. Leaders need to use questions and communications to navigate the social realm and build relationships. Increased relationships lead to increased persuasion, position power and influence.
BIZ: What can a leader learn from your book?
DG: In the book, I provide readers with practical tools that have helped leaders at Fortune 100 organizations be successful and differentiate themselves, including leaders of organizations at McDonald's, Lockheed Martin, and Lilly. The book contains specific tools and try-it-today exercises so leaders and the communication professionals who support them can more effectively deal with change and turn employee skepticism and confusion into engagement in order to accelerate business results. The ideas and skills presented in the book can help any leader, whether a seasoned veteran or first-time manager, enhance his or her current level of success and become a leadercommunicator.
BIZ: What is the most common mistake leaders make?
DG: Failing to remember that everything they do communicates. Leaders are communicating whether they intend to or not, so they might as well do it effectively. Everything speaks loudly about what or who is important to a leader, from having a closed office door, to sending an e-mail instead of having a conversation, to being absent for meetings—people will read into your behavior and interpret situations to give them meaning.
BIZ: Why is this book especially relevant to our NGLCC audience?
DG: Being a certified business owner gives businesses an added means to make connections and open doors, and acts as an important differentiator. Just as that certification can differentiate a business, we as leaders can differentiate ourselves further by how we communicate.
More importantly, when it comes to the advanced skills that truly differentiate leaders, authenticity rises to the top. Employees want to know who you are before they listen to what you have to say. Employees want leaders who aren't like a Hollywood movie set—picturesque on one side but empty on the other.
For me, coming out was a journey about truth and authenticity. It was about being honest with myself and fully understanding who I am—I know that's true for many LGBT leaders. The coming-out experience prepares many leaders for being leadercommunicators as well. The book talks about proven strategies and solutions to help others know who you are so you're better able to inspire and motivate them into action.
BIZ: What's a myth that you'd like to "bust" about leadership?
DG: There's a myth that leaders have to have all the answers, and that's simply not true. It's okay to not have all the answers. In fact, the three best credibility-building words a leader can say are, "I don't know," and then they can go out and find the answers.
David Grossman's book, You Can't NOT Communicate: Proven Communication Solutions that Power the Fortune 100, can be purchased online at http://www.youcantnotcommunicate.com/ ($17.99), and is coming soon to amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
