Leading With Success Starts with Communicating Better

Communicating well and leading well go hand in hand. New leaders that possess excellent communication skills certainly have an edge over more seasoned leaders who don’t!

Despite how important communication is, it is an area that frequently gets overlooked when it comes to onboarding new leaders or training and mentoring seasoned ones. It’s simply assumed that you already know how to communicate. After all, we’ve all been communicating since we were in diapers, right?

What fits into the communication bucket is a big broad assortment of skills. It’s certainly a perk if a leader has the ability to capture the attention of a crowd, convey vision in memorable ways, or inspire when they speak.

However, for our focus today, I want to zero in on the skills needed for a leader to successfully communicate with others in their personal interactions. After all, that’s where trust is cultivated and nourished – with your people. And trust is no small thing!

Based on how frequently some aspect of communication is at the heart of a coaching session, there’s room for some growth there.

But Wait, I’m Not A Leader!

Maybe at this point you are thinking that this post is not for you! In your mind, you don’t hold the title “leader,” but the truth is: you lead.

Perhaps your primary leadership role is leading yourself, but there are people in your circle that are watching you. People who you have the exciting opportunity to influence in positive ways.

If you are a solopreneur, entrepreneur, or parent, people are actively noticing what you are up to and how you do what you do!

Being a leader is more than being the one in charge. It’s conducting yourself in a way that sets an example that inspires others to naturally want to follow. It’s actively moving ideas, projects, or people in an intentional direction.

Communication Mistakes

Ready to up your communication game? Today I want to share six communication mistakes I see leaders making that have a way of backfiring on you.

1. Making Empty Promises

If you have ever experienced the disappointment that arises when someone makes a promise but doesn’t follow through, and I know you have, you know it’s not a happy feeling. It undermines your trust in that person and trust is harder to earn back once it is lost.

Be careful what you promise!

There are moments when circumstances make following through with a promise impossible, but those are rare. Immediately communicating what the situation is and how you will make it right is a worthy habit to be in. It might cost you in the short run, but not communicating will ultimately cost you more!

Where have you experienced empty promises? What effect has it had on your relationships either personally, professionally, or with business connections? How have broken promises made leading harder than it needs to be?

2. Failing to Set Expectations

Your people want to know what you want them to do and how well they are doing it. That’s why it’s essential that you set them up for success by clearly setting expectations. That means you need to be crystal clear on the target you want them to hit.

What exactly does it mean to set expectations? It is…

• • • Clearly defining what it is that you are looking for. What results are you seeking? Where do you want them to end up? What does success look like from your perspective?
    • Not assuming the other person or persons understands, but checking for understanding. What did they hear is important to you? What do they see the end goal being? It’s funny how clear you might think you are being because you have a vivid picture in your mind, but somehow that picture often doesn’t translate. Take the extra step to confirm that you are on the same page. It will save you a host of headaches later!
    • Agreeing to the goal, objectives, what’s important to you and/or the “why”, as well as the timeline.
    • Letting them know who they should take their questions or concerns to. Should they bring those to you or is there someone else who might be able to help?
    • Periodically checking in, to ensure that you are all still on the same page. Address any challenges that may have cropped up or adjustments that need to be made along the way.

When you find yourself disappointed in someone’s performance or their results fall short, first ask yourself how you might have better communicated your expectations.

When your people know what’s expected, it creates a sense of safety and security. It allows people to grow and perform better. And it also goes a long way towards building trust!

3. Giving Feedback

Setting expectations and giving feedback work in tandem!

Setting crystal clear expectations is not enough! If you don’t follow up and offer feedback, you’ve missed a powerful opportunity! Your people want and need to know how well they did! When expectations and feedback are missing, it creates uncertainty.

Somehow feedback has gotten a negative rap! There’s a misconception that feedback is about letting someone know what the did wrong or how to improve. That’s only half the story. Feedback is also about what they did right, what you want them to repeat, and/or do more of! Don’t underestimate the power of positive feedback!

Leaders are often reluctant to give feedback and when it is missing their people feel lost. Don’t let them wander in the valley of vagueness – that only keeps them from delivering the desired results.

Feedback points others in the direction that will enable them to excel. Who doesn’t want that?

Whenever you have the chance to provide happy feedback, do it! It’s gold! And if they are regularly hearing what they are doing well, it’s less devastating when you do have to address something less positive.

4. Communicating Unprofessionally

As texting has become a more popular means of communicating, leaders have resorted to shorthand ways of communicating in professional situations. While I enjoy the ease and speed of texting, and even sometimes take shortcuts when keeping up with family or friends, that way of communicating in a professional setting doesn’t fare so well. This applies to e-mails as well.

Using proper capitalization and punctuation without taking shortcuts communicates a level of respect that never hurts in a work environment. It’s also less likely to lead to misunderstandings.

You don’t have to be stuffy or someone that you aren’t. Articulating your thoughts clearly and professionally automatically sets you apart in a beneficial way.

5. Communication Voids

The adage “no news is good news” is untrue.

When there’s a lack of communication, or a communication void, negativity fills the gap every time!

Want to eliminate the potential for negative feelings? Then be sure to follow up promptly even if it’s just to say “I will get back to tomorrow when I know more.” Don’t underestimate the difference this simple, but thoughtful gesture makes.

Check in periodically with those you lead or those you have significant business relationships with. Allowing too much time to go by creates a void too, while staying in touch has a happy impact on those you lead or interact with.

6. Thinking You Have to Have All the Answers

Have you bought into the idea that leaders have to have all the answers? It’s a myth!! It’s far better to admit you don’t know something and to take steps to get answers. Your people will trust you more because you’ve been honest with them and your vulnerability invites them to admit when they don’t have the answers too.

Make it your goal to ask the insightful questions over having the right answers! Get super curious and ask away. You might be surprised by the very valuable information you discover when you do!

Here’s more inspiration for you when it comes to asking questions. Plus some helpful guidelines too!

What Troubles You?

Leave a comment below! I’d love to hear what troubles you when it comes to communication.  How do you see leaders shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to how they communicate?

Eager to improve your leadership skills? That’s just one of the many topics we work on in The LAB.