The Language of Leaders: How Top CEOs Communicate to Inspire, Influence and Achieve Results [Hardcover]

Kevin Murray shares what he learned during his interviews of 57 business leaders plus contributions by four others. Almost all have UK backgrounds and current affiliations and thus provide perspectives that I found of special interest. It came as no surprise, however, that what has helped them to influence others to achieve high-impact results is essentially no different from what has also proven effective f9r other leaders in the Americas, Europe, and Asia: effective communication.

In Chapter 3, he identifies and examines what he characterizes as "the 12 principles of effective communication" and none is a head-snapping revelation, nor does Murray make any such claim. They range from "Learn how to be yourself, better, if you aspire to be a better leader and communicator" to "Learn, rehearse, review, improve - always strive to be a better communicator." If you were to draw up a list of the greatest leaders throughout history, my guess is that - however different they may be in most respects - all were an effective communicator and most (if not all) were a master raconteur.

The title of this book refers to "language" in both verbal and non-verbal domains. In fact, as countless research studies have proven, body language and tone of voice determine at least 80-85% of impact during a face-to-face encounter, with the remainder of impact determined by what is actually said. Moreover, as Murray correctly points out, aspiring leaders must have credibility as well as communication skills. Bill George is among those who have much of great value to say about "authenticity" that develops while following a True North. James O'Toole asserts that all great leaders possess what he characterizes as a "moral compass." The point is, people will not believe the message if they do not trust the messenger.

Murray offers an especially crisp and concise description of inspiring leaders who make us want to achieve more. "They persuade us to their cause, win our active support, help us to work better together and make us feel proud to be part of the communities they create...If need be, great leaders [also] get us to face ugly reality, and then give us a new sense of direction and optimism. Along the way, they help us to see how what we do makes a difference. They listen to us and they respect us. We feel involved and committed. We watch them for cues, and we feel great when they recognize our efforts - and then we try even harder."

As I read this portion of the book's Introduction, I immediately thought of Winston Churchill's frank communications throughout the worst of the Battle of Britain during the summer and autumn of 1940. Yes, Churchill inspired people to fight on but he left no doubt as to the perils his nation and its people faced. "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering...You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory. Victory at all costs -- Victory in spite of all terror -- Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival."
Murray, those he interviewed, and others who also contributed to the process offer an abundance of information, insights, and wisdom that can help almost anyone to develop a fluency in "the language of leaders" but, that said, I hasten to emphasize once again what Murray stresses throughout the book: Trust is essential to leadership and people will only trust and respect those who are authentic.

Those who aspire to become great leaders, to engage others in the achievement of great results, must effectively communicate those values that guide and inform their behavior. Fluency without integrity is, at best, artifice and at worst, deceit...or as the example of Adolph Hitler suggests, evil. Leaders must be worthy of those whom they are privileged to serve.

First off a declaration of interest.

I have known Kevin Murray since his days as Director of Communications at British Airways. Later he hired me to work with him years ago at Bell Pottinger.

This book explains why I accepted the offer back in the days of pre-history - Kevin sees communications as a holistic activity. He's not one of those guys who thinks your reputation is about what the newspapers write about you, but that it's the product of who who you are, what you do and what people who work alongside you say when you're out of the room. The Language of Leaders brings it all together in one place.

Kevin has interviewed over 60 successful leaders for the book. Some have got some banal things to say - others are quite challenging. What Kevin does so well is to weave their thoughts into a coherent model which suggests a clear agenda for anyone who wants their organisation to be understood.

Although Kevin has focused on CEO's (from all walks of life) the thinking is applicable to any aspiring manager. For example his chapter on personal authenticity is compelling as are the observations on employee engagement.

Overall, many of the ideas in this book are well known already - Kevin is reporting the reflections of some pretty familiar characters. Where the book scores for me is in bringing them together into a coherent system.

I have just finished reading The Language of Leaders - and wanted to write to you to congratulate you on an outstanding book and contribution to the development of better leaders. It is rich with ideas and insights that readers will be able to remember and implement.