Let’s be genuine. A great leader does not come inherently. Being a master at your job is no longer sufficient. You need to find strategies to market your brand, spread the word about your ideas, and share your knowledge if you want to be taken seriously. The good news is that to assist people in running a firm like a boss, a great list of immediately useful leadership tips has been put together. Some are brief but essential reminders. Others, however, might be something you’ve never considered.

Leadership is about having an impact, and communication is how you have an impact. Furthermore, it goes beyond just you approaching others. Sometimes you have to force yourself to hold your tongue and take the time and effort to truly listen to what someone is saying to you rather than just hearing what they are saying. Silences are incredibly valuable and should not be disregarded. Here are a few ways to improve your communication as a leader.

Develop resilience. Imagine being told by coworkers that you don’t listen all that well. Imagine someone bringing up information about your work that you would prefer not to hear. Take a deep breath and repeat the process as necessary until you’re no longer stimulated. This is a display of courage.

Obtain a baseline. By asking them, you can find out if your trusted coworkers think you are a good listener. However, one must first communicate with them that they desire the truth and that it is safe for them to be open. Consider how your perspective and theirs differ. Then, keep track of how much time you spend listening compared to talking throughout a few recorded talks.

Pay close attention. There are so many opportunities in life to listen with authenticity. Practice asking people how they are when you meet with coworkers or anytime else. Inquire as to whether your summary of what you heard was accurate before continuing.

Be mindful of your feelings. Beyond the content, consider how individuals express themselves. Pay close attention to the subtleties in their tone, body language, and spoken phrases. Ask if you’re unsure of the emotion’s nature with respect and wonder.

Keep an eye on your thoughts. While listening to people speak, pay attention to what’s happening inside of you. Pay attention to your attention, what distracts you, what makes you want to jump in, and what makes you happy or angry. Bring your focus back to listening intently. It’s a lifetime practice!

Cultivate a culture of listening. Showcase attentive listening and encourage other people to follow suit. Give individuals the tools they need to succeed at listening, and establish it as the norm throughout your organization.

Effective communication is crucial in both the workplace and daily life. While ensuring that they are heard and understood, great leaders also recognize the importance of listening. Maximizing communication will result in the company moving forward at a rapid pace rather than slamming on the breaks.