Solutions begin with a conversation.
But equally; ideas, relationships, understanding, trust etc start with a conversation.
Without conversations, and ultimately communication, very little can be achieved.
A while back we had a leader of a large manufacturing facility give a dinner presentation on their idea of leadership. During the discussion, she recounted the reply from the CEO to her enthusiastic declaration that she would be the best manager this site has had!
”I didn’t hire you to manage, I hired you to communicate!”
Communication is the foundation of leadership.
WCH Prentice said leadership is the accomplishment of a goal through the assistance of people. He went on to say that an effective leader is one who understands people’s motivations and enlists participation in a way that marries individual needs and interests to the group’s purpose.
This requires careful, skilful, and purposeful communication.
Not only is the act of communicating central to leadership, but how this is done will dictate outcomes. It will affect relationships, trust, understanding, respect and all the key traits required to be a great leader.
The English term 'Communication' has evolved from the Latin 'Communis and Communicare'. Communis is a noun, which means common, communiality or sharing. Communicare is a verb, which means 'make something common'. Some scholars relate the term communication with the community. Community members have something in common with each other.
Communities are formed with the tie of communication. Where there is no communication, there cannot be a community.
This is what binds us all, whether at work, at home or in our social communities.
Industry Partners Australia is a diverse community of Australia's leading organisations, bound together through purposeful conversations that endeavour to find solutions to common business challenges.
Solutions begin with a conversation.
Les Wingham | Chief Operating Officer
