<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">A leader’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively with employees, within teams, and across the organization is one of the foundations of a successful business.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>Thus, the ability to communicate might be a manager’s most critical skill.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The good news is that these skills can be learned and even mastered.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>These eight tips can help you maximize your communication skills for the success of your organization and your career.</div><div><br></div><div>1. Be clear and concise</div><div>Communication is primarily about word choice. And when it comes to word choice, less is more.</div><div><br></div><div>The key to powerful and persuasive communication whether written or spoken is clarity and, when possible, brevity.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Before engaging in any form of communication, define your goals and your audience.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Outlining carefully and explicitly what you want to convey and why will help ensure that you include all necessary information. It will also help you eliminate irrelevant details.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Avoid unnecessary words and overly flowery language, which can distract from your message.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Prepare ahead of time</div><div>Know what you are going to say and how you are going to say before you begin any type of communication.</div><div><br></div><div>However, being prepared means more than just practicing a presentation.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Preparation also involves thinking about the entirety of the communication, from start to finish. Research the information you may need to support your message. Consider how you will respond to questions and criticisms. Try to anticipate the unexpected.</div><div><br></div><div>Before a performance review, for instance, prepare a list of concrete examples of your employee’s behavior to support your evaluation.</div><div><br></div><div>Before engaging in a salary or promotion negotiation, know exactly what you want. Be ready to discuss ranges and potential compromises; know what you are willing to accept and what you aren’t.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Before entering into any conversation, brainstorm potential questions, requests for additional information or clarification, and disagreements so you are ready to address them calmly and clearly.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Be mindful of nonverbal communication</div><div>Our facial expressions, gestures, and body language can, and often do, say more than our words.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Nonverbal cues can have between 65 and 93 percent more impact than the spoken word. And we are more likely to believe the nonverbal signals over spoken words if the two are in disagreement.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Leaders must be especially adept at reading nonverbal cues.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Employees who may be unwilling to voice disagreements or concerns, for instance, may show their discomfort through crossed arms or an unwillingness to make eye contact. If you are aware of others’ body language, you may be able to adjust your communication tactics appropriately.</div><div><br></div><div>At the same time, leaders must also be able to control their own nonverbal communications.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Your nonverbal cues must, at all times, support your message. At best, conflicting verbal and nonverbal communication can cause confusion. At worst, it can undermine your message and your team’s confidence in you, your organization, and even in themselves.&nbsp; According to media reports&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>