Communication: When Should A Leader Call, Text, Or Use Email?

While nearly everyone seems to realize the significance, importance, and relevance of a leader effectively communicating, far little time, resources, time or energies, are spent improving one's skills, better understanding the basics, and, essentially, learning to communicate optimally, or, basically, learning and becoming better able to get through to one's constituents, stakeholders, etc. Many in positions of leadership tend to overly rely on one form of communicating over others, Whether this is because of a lack of understanding, or fear of moving beyond one's comfort zone, the reality is, there cannot be any truly effective communication, without utilizing all available avenues, etc. Why, and when, should any leader call, or text, or send an email? 1. Call: If it were feasible, the optimal way to get one's point across, and thus open of the channels, would be to have conversations, face-to-face. In this way, one could use both verbal, as well as non-verbal cues, such as body language, etc, and could become more empathetic, and become a far more effective listener. Because of time limitations, calling often becomes a luxury one cannot afford, and calling is the second best way! Calling is more personal, has the potential to be deeper and more in-depth, and makes others feel more welcome, cared for, and considered! Unfortunately, there are times when it is either impractical, or inefficient, to make these call, but a leader must avoid the tendency to abandon them entirely, because, if you can connect, the results have the most potential to create a real conversation. 2. Texts: Nearly everyone carries some type of mobile device, whether it be basic, or a more sophisticated, Smartphone. Therefore, texts can be quite effective in circumstances, where less in-depth, detail, is needed, such as merely to confirm, follow-up, or offer (or receive) specific information. Far too often, however, individuals hide behind their texts, and use them as an excuse for less stellar approaches, which might require less comfort, and more time and effort. The best use for texts is for activities such as: confirming an appointment; sending a single item, such as a phone number, or, as a follow-up, or thank you for meeting-type message! 3. Emails: In today's Smartphone generation, individuals possess the ability to receive emails, and send them, instantly. Unfortunately, many pay little attention to these, especially on any type of timely basis. Emails can effectively communicate details in-depth, follow-up (or preliminary) information, and can provide details either omitted or needed. Each way has strengths, and each has drawbacks! If you decide to lead, you will need to effectively communicate, and one can only do this well, if he takes advantage of everything available. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9258094