Are You Aware of Your Constant Communication?
As a leader, your communication is constantly observed—even when you’re silent. Understanding this can be a game-changer for how you lead your team and influence your organisation.
The Unseen Power of Communication
You’ve probably heard it said that “you cannot not communicate.” Even when you say nothing, you’re still sending a message. What you don’t say often speaks louder than what you do. If you’ve ever waited for an important call that didn’t come, you know the feeling of uncertainty that arises. Your mind starts to fill in the gaps, often with negative assumptions.
Why is this? It’s not just coincidence—it’s rooted in our biology. Our brains are wired for survival, and part of that wiring involves being alert for danger. This tendency can cause us to jump to conclusions, especially when communication is unclear or absent. When we don’t hear from someone, we start to imagine the worst-case scenario.
The Leadership Impact of Miscommunication
This same instinct affects leaders. When you, as a leader, don’t communicate clearly or often enough, your team will fill in those gaps with their own interpretations, which can lead to misunderstandings. These misunderstandings may snowball, impacting trust, performance, and overall team morale.
As a leader, recognising this pattern can help you refine your communication and create a stronger, more transparent culture within your team.
How to Communicate Effectively as a Leader
Here are a few steps you can take to improve communication with your team and reduce misunderstandings:
- Be Clear and Direct: If you want someone to understand something, make sure you're crystal clear in your explanation. Don’t leave it to the imagination—confirm understanding.
- Create Open Channels for Feedback: Encourage open, immediate communication within your team. This ensures that any questions or concerns can be addressed quickly before they escalate.
- Observe Your Nonverbal Cues: Remember, your body language and actions send messages too. A simple gesture like not saying "Good morning" when walking past a colleague could unintentionally convey the wrong message.
The Power of Intentional Communication
Even small actions can have a profound impact on your team's perception of you. A personal experience I learned early in my career highlights this: I once unintentionally caused an assistant to feel undervalued simply by not acknowledging them with a "good morning" as I passed their office. This seemingly small action was misinterpreted and led to the assumption that I didn’t value their contribution.
This moment taught me a valuable lesson: communication is not just about what you say, but also about what you don’t say—and what you don’t do. As a leader, you must be intentional in your communication, both verbal and non-verbal.
Key Takeaways:
To improve your leadership communication, here are a few key takeaways:
- Be Aware of Your Presence: As a leader, your team is always observing you. Every action—or lack thereof—sends a message.
- Provide Clarity: Always be clear when conveying important messages. If there’s any room for misunderstanding, take the time to confirm that your intentions are understood.
- Foster Open Communication: Create an environment where your team feels comfortable approaching you with questions or concerns. This builds trust and reduces the likelihood of negative assumptions.
Challenge Your Assumptions:
Finally, when you catch yourself making assumptions about others' intentions or actions, challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself: How likely is that situation I’ve imagined? What else could be going on? Approach these moments with curiosity, not judgment, and seek to understand the truth behind the communication.
How Can You Improve Communication in Your Leadership?
If you're ready to take your communication skills to the next level, our leadership workshops offer hands-on strategies for mastering communication under pressure. Learn from high-performance coaches and gain practical tools that you can apply immediately.