Communicating as a Leader
A paramedic steps into a room that is silent. All that is known is there is an 81 year old female lying on the floor. No one knows what happened, or what is wrong with her. He reaches down and can barely feel a pulse. The lady has slow and shallow respirations, and appears to be turning blue around the lips. The paramedic looks up to find his partner and two other EMTs staring back at him, equipment in hand, waiting for their commands. This medically trained team can not function without clear communication from their leader, the paramedic. His ability to communicate can mean the difference between life and death. How well would you be able to communicate with your team? Not everyone may realize how well they communicate or the importance of their communication.
Communication is the key to success, regardless of the application. It is essential for sports, work, school, and at home. "Communication is a skill that you can learn. It's like riding a bicycle or typing. If you're willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life (Tracy, 2007 Para.1)." A leader requires good communication skills, and it is something that has to be learned. "You're not born to be a leader any more than you're born to be an architect or a doctor (Ansary 2007 Para. 2)." Many look up to mentors and their parents for knowledge, how to lead their own lives, and even the lives of others. Everyone needs guidance, but where the guidance comes from is up to you, which makes people unique.
In order for a team leader to communicate efficiently, the leader must have adequate knowledge about the subject on hand. If the leader does not have the proper education and background, how can this person expect to lead others? There ...