The first stringer connecting the position and permission rungs is effective communication. People will give you “permission” to lead them if you can effectively communicate, if you can connect with them. Can you paint a picture for people where they can see themselves in your message? This time of year the concept of moving from position to permission through effective communication is played out every night on the television. Presidential candidates hit the campaign trail and try to effectively communicate why they are the best person to lead our great country. They start as positional leaders. Why, because everyone starts as a positional leader, even the president of the United States. What is a campaign? It is their opportunity to broadcast a message that will resonate with us and provide a connection which will result in us voting for them, effectively giving them “permission” to lead us.
What does effective communication look like? Is it a charismatic and passionate speech that leaves you awestruck? Is it a heartfelt talk or fireside chat that tugs at your core? Is it short and sweet, an only the facts discussion? The answer in all three cases is maybe. It isn’t the delivery that qualifies your communication as effective; it is the connection it makes. We said before that everyone is different so how you connect with people is different as well. So what is the key to connection? We need to find common ground, believe our message, and allow participation in the process. Many leaders make the mistake of confusing connection with being likeable or with telling people what they want to hear. That is not connection, it is positional leadership. In the next post we will discuss the other stringer connecting position and permission, trust.
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