What is Dynamic Communication and Why You Need to Know About It?

Communicating well in person and online is essential wherever you are in your leadership career. This is the means of spreading a message and also learning about others. At its core, communication is not static. It is dynamic and ever-changing because it involves people. In today’s article, we will focus on what makes communication dynamic.

Leaders and Communication in the 21st Century

The 21st century is presenting new challenges and opportunities for leaders. Demographic shifts are critical aspects of the workplace and society’s transformation. Here are just a few things that did not exist before and that leaders of today face:

• Up to 5 generations of people in the workforce
• Women are becoming an essential part of the workforce and society in general (even in leadership and traditionally male-dominated industries)
• Minorities will make up more than 50% of the workforce in the near future

Impact on Communication

With these unprecedented changes, you can imagine how crucial dynamic communication is today. It is also apparent why we view communication as dynamic, especially when it is related to how leaders communicate.

A leader now has to be able to inspire, motivate, lead, and develop generations of people. These generations have their own preferences in terms of communication styles and their own worldviews about work and life. Using one-approach-fits-all will not work. The message needs to be delivered based on the audience. 

The same complexity and dynamics apply to communication with women, men, and minorities. Communication with each of these groups is specific and unique. Writing a memo for everyone does not work anymore. 

Differences in Communication

As a leader or aspiring, you need to pay attention and learn how to communicate in different situations and with various people. Younger generations might be more willing to use and respond to digital channels such as Twitter, email, and videos. The mature, older generations could prefer more formal means of communication. Furthermore, specific messages might be relayed in front of a group of people, whereas others are best delivered in a one-on-one setting (e.g., praise vs. constructive feedback). 

You are also probably already aware of the ways that the audience determines the language and the presentation. As a leader, you need to master this and be able to use appropriate vocabulary with various stakeholders and groups. What motivates younger women raised in Western culture will not have the same impact on middle-aged women from an Eastern background. Knowing your audience and connecting with and engaging them is essential for successful career advancement in tech and leadership. 

Basics of Dynamic Communication

There are multiple variables to consider when communicating with people in the 21st century, especially if you are or want to be a leader. However, it all comes to the basic knowledge that communication is dynamic. Listen first. Understand who you are communicating with and what their needs and preferences are. Then, connect by speaking their language and using their preferred channels and modes of communication.

Dynamic communication is all about the actions and results it produces, not the message you generate.

Is your team more efficient because of the way you communicate with them?

Some questions which might be helpful to ask and answer for yourself are:

• What is my audience? How well do I know them?
• Do I understand my audience correctly? How can I understand them even better?
• What language should I use to deliver a message for it to be understood and accepted?
• What mode of communication should I use?
• Is this something to discuss one-on-one or in a group setting?
• How can I make sure everyone is engaged and heard?

Listen First

It shouldn’t be a surprise that you should listen first. It’s more than just hearing because listening is a mental process.

Become an active listener. We communicate more than words. If you can pay attention to what is said and what is not said but implied, you will see significant changes in the way people see you and interact with you. You will also understand others better and learn how to communicate back to them in a way that inspires and produces results.

Remove Uncertainty

Another one of the basics of dynamic communication is about removing uncertainty. Have you ever received a meeting invite from your manager with no information and the title “Quick chat” (or something similar)? How did it feel?

Remember, it’s human nature to seek certainty and stability. Reducing uncertainty means we can predict actions and behaviors. If I know my manager wants to have a quick chat to discuss the status of my project, I’ll be prepared for her asking questions related to the work I’m currently doing. If I know the quick chat is to talk about the upcoming potluck, I’ll know we will talk about coordination and food.

Always add descriptions to your meeting invites with purpose and objectives. This is the least you can do to reduce uncertainty for your team and others you work with.

Focus

Since dynamic communication is all about the actions it generates, one keyword is “focus”. Focus on the objective of the communication.

Whether it’s an email you are sending, a presentation you are delivering, or a meeting you are leading, make sure you are clear on the objective. What do you want to achieve through this message?

Once you are clear on the objective, you can deliver a message that helps you achieve the result you are looking for. You can decide how much and what information is required for the desired outcome. If one sentence will do, there is no need to write a lengthy email. Focus!

Last Things to Know About Dynamic Communication

Dynamic communication is all about producing actions. If you pause for a moment and reflect on your communication style and how your messages are being received, you will always find ways to grow and improve at communicating.

There are many variables when it comes to communicating with people. The audience is one, the environment is another (speaking with coworkers in a project meeting is different from speaking with the same coworkers at a team building event), and the channel of communication is third. You need to be aware of all these factors when preparing to send a message.

Last but not least, your actions and inactions also send messages. Are you someone who sets an example by constantly improving, or do you go with the flow and expect others to make things happen for you?

One action you can take is to check how your team is at work by completing the quiz below. Communication is only one aspect when it comes to motivating and inspiring your team. The quiz will show you where your team is and how you can lead them better in general.