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Communication is arguably how anything gets done in today’s workplace. It is the cornerstone for maintaining productivity, minimizing disruptions, and nurturing meaningful connections within organizations. When communication breaks down, its downstream impact on all of the above is tangible for employees across levels.
There are a million things that can go wrong in a business that leaders can’t entirely control, from shifting market competition to essential capital slipping through your fingers. In tumultuous times, effective leadership communication is essential, yet often, it breaks down along right alongside the business problems. Lucky for leaders, this is a skill they can learn, and re-learn, throughout their careers. Let’s take a look at the common communication mistakes leaders make, and how great leaders have mastered the skill.
Great Leaders Manage Themselves First
At the heart of effective leadership communication lies the ability to lead oneself. This involves conscious efforts to manage personal well-being, regulate emotions, and maintain a clear perspective both on good days and during chaotic times. Managing yourself well prevents the transfer of stress onto teams. Leaders who are adept at acknowledging their own mistakes and communicating them transparently not only alleviate anxiety but also bolster trust and solidarity within their teams. And teams, often, just want to know what the hell is going on, explains David Grossman, author of Heart First: Lasting Leader Lessons from a Year that Changed Everything.
“Employees want to know where they stand, and they need to stay focused,” he says. “To do this, they need the right direction and information from their leaders and communicators.” Providing clear expectations for employees helps to maintain accountability. Proactive and transparent communication, even when all answers are not available, helps to prevent misinformation and maintain trust.
Let’s repeat that: Don't wait to communicate until you have all the answers. This is one of the most common errors made by leaders. Skipping the non-update update, only showcasing the wins, or attempting to mask difficulties leaders themselves are managing creates feelings of confusion, anxiety, and exclusion. Communicate what you know, when you know it. This, yes, requires you to manage yourself first; you might not be the perfect boss, but who is? Communicating with transparency helps employees know what you’re figuring out without feeling like they’re in an information vacuum.
4 Communication Tactics of the World’s Top Leaders
Transformative leaders understand that effective communication isn’t just a “soft skill”, it’s a strategic imperative. They prioritize clear, concise communication over flashy presentations or complex jargon. For leaders working on leading themselves, here are four observations from Carmine Gallo, a Harvard University professor, he learned when studying leadership for his book The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman.
- Simplify hard concepts. Long, complicated sentences make written ideas hard to understand, and they cause unnecessary “cognitive strain” for employees who need you to get to the point. Short words simplify complex ideas.
- Metaphors stick. Sticky metaphors help make abstract concepts relatable and memorable. Think of them as shortcuts to communicating complex information in short, catchy phrases that can be easily repeated by everyone throughout your organization.
- Humanize data. Famed astrophysicist and science educator Neil deGrasse Tyson once told Gallo that the secret to science communication is to “embed the concept in familiar ground.” In other words, turn data into language everyone can understand.
- The mission becomes a mantra. Transformational leaders over communicate, especially when it comes to their mission—the reason the business exists in the first place! Emphasizing the mission aligns teams around a common purpose, fostering collaboration and dedication.
Conclusion
As organizations navigate through uncertainties and challenges, honest dialogue becomes the linchpin for building trust and resilience within teams. Leaders who prioritize self-awareness and transparent communication not only alleviate anxiety but also fortify the bonds of trust and solidarity among their teams. By acknowledging mistakes, providing clear direction, and embracing transparency, leaders cultivate an environment where employees feel informed, engaged, and empowered to weather any storm. Through mastering the art of communication, leaders not only guide their organizations through turbulent times but also lay the groundwork for enduring success and growth.
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