In a world where change is constant in most every business and industry, leadership communication skills are the single most important determinant of success in business.

And would be leaders who struggle to foster the right level of teamwork and esprit will likely find themselves in a deal of trouble – perhaps even facing the prospect of something President Franklin Roosevelt spoke about many, many years ago:

“It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead — and find no one there.”

No kidding. Talk about a sinking feeling, right?

Here’s the thing. You can have the best ideas in the world, but if you don’t win the hearts and minds of those you need to lead (whether they work with you, for you or someone else)…

…Chances are, your results will suffer (a lot).

And when it comes to these communication skills – here’s another truth:

The role of a leader has become monumentally more complex and nuanced today compared with olden times – when command and control dictates combined with top down management and an expectation of compliance/blind obedience were the order of the day and could work (to a fashion).

Those days are gone, dead and buried. They are ‘rigor’ and ‘mortis!’.

New Skills Required by Today’s Leaders

Modern leaders must instead craft abilities to engage, influence and earn trust – acting as a catalyst and enabler of achievement by others.

Sounds easy when you say it quickly, don’t you think? But what does that really entail?

That’s the subject of today’s expert interview when I had a chance to chat with executive leadership coach, speaker, blogger, podcaster and CEO John Murphy International, John Murphy.

Lean in to hear John share awesome advice and observations about the range of softer skills needed to lead modern workforces to success from here on out.

On Essential Leader Communication Skills Every Executive Needs Today

Listen in as we discuss:

• 3 ways modern leaders need to alter how they communication to inspire others in rapidly changing business worlds
• The consequences of people no longer expecting jobs for life
• What really motivates a modern workforce (and it’s not money)
• Why you can’t manage your way into the future…rather, you must lead
• The importance of passion and painting pictures of how things could be
• Why people need to see and get excited by their part in visions delivered
• How personalizing vision creates context for exceptional results
• The elixir of seeking emotional connection ahead of logic acceptance
• Why it pays to have a culture where it’s ok to admit and confront mistakes
• The effect of having teams come together to craft vision for your business
• How story can accelerate your ability to alter behaviour and effect change
• Lessons from a trio of Richard Branson, Stephen Covey and Michael O’Leary
• And more

And Speaking of Inspiring Others…

I’m delighted to announce that ‘How to Make Powerful Speeches 2nd Edition – A Step-by-Step Guide to Inspiring and Memorable Speeches’ is now available on Amazon: Click Here

Get your copy today.

Learn how to conquer speaking anxieties and what it takes to give confident, polished, persuasive, and valued talks.

This book will help you to discover how to transform your speech making abilities; helping you to inspire others with your ideas, every time you take to your feet.

Photo credit: Garen Meguerian