Communication is not just a core leadership skill but also a core ingredient to your success.  Communication includes speaking, writing and listening.  As a leader, you need to master all three.

Speaking

How many times each day do you speak.  Probably quite a few.  As a leader you need to get your message across as clearly as you can.  No matter whether it is a vision, one to one meeting or a presentation of results on performance you need to get your message across.

Writing

Emails, reports, letters to suppliers and customers, presentations, web content are just a few of the types of writing that you need to undertake.  All successful writing relies on you being clear on the purpose and thinking about how to structure it in the best way to make it as easy as possible to understand.

Listening

Listening is probably the most challenging of all the communication skills most likely because most of us are never taught to listen.  When we listen we get ideas, insights, suggestions, understanding and the chance to create even more success. 

You probably know that communication is key to your success.  So what would have the greatest impact when it came to you developing your communication effectiveness as a leader?