Leadership Skills for Effective Communication

The #1 communication skill isn’t talking. It’s empathic listening. Don’t just listen to understand. Listen until the other person feels understood. Early in my time at Microsoft, I was lucky enough to attend a session with Stephen Covey. His presence was unforgettable. But one idea changed everything for me: “Empathic listening is not listening until 𝘺𝘰𝘶 understand. It’s listening until the 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘥.” That one sentence rewired how I lead, coach, and connect. It’s not about proving you “got it.” It’s about making sure 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 feel heard. Such a simple shift.  Yet a total game changer: 1. It builds trust. 2. It transforms tension into connection. 3. It’s a leadership superpower. Try this today: When someone speaks, don’t jump to respond. Reflect back what they feel and say. Let them know you’re 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮. That’s when the real conversation begins.

As a Chief of Staff, changing communication styles is essential for effective leadership. Different situations and audiences require different approaches, and being able to adapt is a key skill. Remaining authentic through the style changes is important as well. One way to think about changing styles is like wearing scarves. Depending on the weather, the occasion, and the mood, a different scarf is appropriate. The person is the same, only the style has shifted. Similarly, depending on the context, the goal, and the relationship, a different communication style will best suit. For example, when delivering bad news or constructive feedback, a more direct and assertive style may work best. When motivating and inspiring, a more expressive and enthusiastic style would be better. When collaborating and building trust with peers, a more supportive and empathetic style is best. And when analyzing and solving complex problems, a logical and systematic style can be appropriate. Of course, flexible guidelines to communication is important. Knowing your audience, your material and your desired outcome will drive the style that you choose. Be aware of your own preferences and tendencies, and be open to learning from others who have different styles. Constantly expanding your repertoire of communication skills helps the Chief of Staff be a versatile and effective leader. #COSMonday #ChiefOfStaff #Communication #Leadership

Listening is a leadership skill that's often overlooked and underdeveloped. There’s a misconception that merely allowing others to speak = listening. True listening – active and engaged – is a skill many leaders find challenging due to the drive for expediency...or their egos. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: • 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Listening grounds leaders in reality, vital for making informed choices.    • 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁: Active listening validates team contributions and fosters a culture of trust and respect.    • 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Hearing diverse perspectives can ignite creative solutions.    • 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Keeping teams motivated and loyal is key for retaining top talent. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: • 𝗕𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁: Engage with both your ears and eyes, paying attention to nonverbal cues.    • 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻-𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Go beyond yes or no. Encourage depth with questions that show a genuine interest in understanding.    • 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Use pauses to invite deeper insights, and show patience and respect.    • 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: Make a conscious effort not to dominate discussions, promoting the values of inclusion and respect. Listening isn’t just hearing – it’s understanding, engaging , and acting on what’s heard. Leadership demands a higher level of listening. It’s an active, strategic tool that influences culture, drives change, and fosters trust. Make sure your listening skills are sharp. #Leadership #communicationskills

If your environment is draining your energy, then you need to read this. Changing our environment can be challenging in many situations, like work or relationships. At work and in relationships we cannot change the people in our environment even if we want to. What if I told you that as a leader or executive, you still have the power to change your environment, and your perception and experience of it by simply changing your words and thoughts? Your words, thoughts and actions carry immense weight in shaping the environment and driving positive change. Effective communication is a potent tool to inspire and mobilize your team towards environmental sustainability. Here's few tools that you can use in communication that can help improve the environment in which you work. 🌿1. Express gratitude frequently. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of a generic "Good job," say, "Thank you for your hard work on the project, especially with the tight deadline. Your efforts made a big difference." 🌿2. Encourage open dialogue. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Replace "We need to improve this" with "How do you think we can improve this?" This invites input and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. 🌿3. Provide constructive feedback. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of saying, "You made a mistake," try, "Here's an area we can improve. Let's review it together to see how we can avoid this in the future." 🌿4. Show empathy and support. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of "You need to finish this by tomorrow,” try, "I understand this is a tight deadline. Let's see what support you need to complete this by tomorrow." 🌿5. Acknowledge efforts publicly. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of only giving feedback privately, share successes in team meetings, e.g., "I want to highlight the excellent work Sarah did on the client presentation. Her insights were invaluable." 🌿6. Promote a growth mindset. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Replace "You're either good at this or not" with "Skills can be developed with effort. How can we help you grow in this area?" 🌿7. Use positive reinforcement. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of "Don't do it like that," try ", I appreciate your effort, and here's another way we can approach this for better results." 🌿8. Promote accountability with encouragement. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of "This failed because of you," say, "This didn't go as planned. Let's analyze what happened and how we can improve next time." 🌿9. Highlight team efforts. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of "I completed the project," use "Our team completed the project, and everyone's contributions were crucial." 🌿10. Use inclusive language. 𝐄𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: Instead of saying "Hey guys," switch to "Hello everyone" or "Hi team." This small change ensures that all employees feel included and respected. By making these shifts leaders can foster inclusive, dynamic workplaces through improved communication, collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect. ➡︎Which point did you like the most? ➡︎Can you suggest any other points? #juliecore #success

𝟑. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 In the realm of leadership, effective communication is the cornerstone of success. As a high-performance leader, it is crucial to understand that not everyone communicates in the same way. People have diverse communication styles and preferences that influence how they send and receive information.   Some individuals prefer direct and concise communication, where brevity is key. They appreciate getting straight to the point, devoid of excessive details or small talk. Others thrive on a more personal and relationship-oriented approach, valuing open-ended discussions and the opportunity to connect on a deeper level. Understanding these differences is essential for building strong relationships and fostering effective collaboration within your team.   To uncover these communication styles and preferences, take the time to observe and listen to your team members. Pay attention to their verbal and non-verbal cues, as these can provide valuable insights into their preferred communication methods. Some may exhibit a preference for written communication, while others may thrive in face-to-face conversations or virtual meetings.   Once you have identified their preferred style, adapt your communication accordingly. Tailor your messages to suit their needs, ensuring clarity and understanding. This personalized approach will demonstrate your commitment to effective communication and foster a sense of trust and respect among your team members.   Remember, effective communication is a two-way street. Encourage active listening and open dialogue within your team.   Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas, regardless of their communication style. By embracing and understanding these differences, you can unleash the power of communication and propel your team towards high-performance and success. #softskills #highperformancecompanies #leadershipsdevelopment #businesscoaching

In the realm of leadership, effective communication is the cornerstone of a thriving team. Yet, we often find ourselves pondering: "Why do some bosses struggle to provide better feedback or deliver it with empathy?" Feedback is a powerful tool, a conduit for growth and development. However, the art of delivering it constructively requires a delicate balance of skill and emotional intelligence. Let's dive into why some bosses may falter in this arena: 🔹 Communication Styles Differ: Leaders come from diverse backgrounds, each with their unique communication style. What may seem clear to one might appear vague or harsh to another. 🔹 Unconscious Bias: Our unconscious biases can seep into our words unintentionally. Leaders must actively recognize and mitigate these biases to ensure fair and equitable feedback. 🔹 Lack of Training: Providing effective feedback is a skill that needs honing. Some bosses may not have received proper training or guidance on how to deliver feedback constructively. 🔹 Pressure and Stress: High-stakes environments can trigger stress, leading to unintentional curt or abrasive feedback. Leaders must manage their stress to communicate effectively. 🔹 Fear of Discomfort: Addressing areas of improvement can be uncomfortable. Some bosses may shy away from delivering direct feedback to avoid awkwardness. But here's the silver lining: Empathetic Leadership. Empathetic leaders understand that feedback isn't just about pointing out flaws; it's about helping individuals blossom. They practice active listening, choose their words mindfully, and consider the impact of their message. By fostering an empathetic culture, leaders can bridge the gap between intention and perception. Here's how: 🔸 Training and Development: Invest in leadership training that emphasizes effective communication and empathetic feedback delivery. 🔸 Open Dialogue: Encourage two-way conversations. Leaders should listen attentively and invite employees' perspectives, fostering a safe space for feedback exchange. 🔸 Language Matters: Leaders should choose words that empower and inspire growth rather than deflate morale. 🔸 Lead by Example: Display the kind of feedback you wish to receive. When leaders model constructive feedback, it sets a positive precedent for the team. 🔸 Continuous Improvement: Embrace a growth mindset. Leaders should be open to refining their feedback skills based on employee responses. Let's champion empathetic leadership, where feedback isn't a mere transaction but an opportunity for growth. By enhancing our feedback delivery, we cultivate a culture of open communication, trust, and continuous improvement. Together, we can reshape the way we communicate, ensuring every interaction nurtures growth and fosters an environment of excellence. #LeadershipDevelopment #EmpatheticLeadership #inclusiveleadership #EffectiveCommunication #FeedbackCulture #bestweekever

3 skills that are more important than the English vocabulary you use if you want to communicate more professionally at meetings with global teams... While it's OK to always be developing your English, don't make the mistake many do of being a perfectionist and waiting until your English is "advanced enough" before you start speaking. Otherwise, you'll never start. START using what you have now, and DEVELOP as YOU GO. This gives you more time to focus on other commonly-neglected, vital business communication skills. Here are 3 of the big ones I share with my own clients every week: ✅ Define clear objectives and meeting outcomes: Ever been to a meeting that was honestly just a waste of time? It doesn't matter how "good" your English is if you're holding a meeting that is wasting everyone's time due to having no clear objectives OR that never needed to be held in the first place. If it's even necessary to have a meeting, then ensure to define your meeting objectives, make it clear to your audience what you plan to accomplish, and create a plan to implement. Bonus: Keep the meeting as brief and succinct as possible, don't make it longer than necessary. Your team will THANK YOU for this, and will be more likely to be productive and willing to implement if you respect their time and have clear objectives. ✅ Learn how to navigate through conflict: Conflict is INEVITABLE, not only in business communications, but in life. By learning how to communicate effectively, stay calm and collected, build empathy for the other party (ESPECIALLY when you disagree), and learning how to focus on proactive solutions instead of just reacting, letting ego get in the way, or getting angry, You can create, lead, and inspire a far stronger, more resilient, more respectable, and more loyal team than if you just blow up or shut down any time there is conflict. It takes a strong, humble, capable leader to be able to handle conflict both maturely and productively. ✅ Become a better listener, paraphrase, and develop your EQ: From an English standpoint, listening carefully, taking notes, paraphrasing, and aiming to really understand are all ingredients for improving your listening comprehension skills. However, there are SO MANY MORE benefits to doing these things: You ensure you really understand, you build rapport, you gain a more well-rounded understanding of the real situation at hand, and you can create more effective solutions. A manager who speaks "OK" English but does these other 3 things well can be way more successful in their career and earn more team loyalty and productivity than one who speaks "advanced" English and uses "advanced" expressions, but fails to do these other things well. Make sure you're not only focusing on your English, but your overall Business English communication skills for your work. The ROI is way higher. Cheers, Carlos #MgizehLanguage #LifeSciences #Pharmaceuticals #Biotechnology #MedicalDevices

Effective communication is an essential skill as a leader. In school, communication is generally taught as an academic exercise - use big words, speak in long sentences, sound smart. In functional organizations, nothing could be worse. The purpose of communication is to align on a path forward and make sure that the people implementing that plan know what they need to do. Making the listener's life easy enables success for everyone. The best communicators I've met use small words, make punchlines clear, and provide loads of helpful context. Becoming a better communicator should be a constant focus for leaders that want to enable their teams.

As an IT leader who has spent countless hours in calls, meetings, and project updates, I've learned that often the most effective communication tool we have isn't our voice, but our silence. It may sound counterintuitive and my kids would certainly disagree. In a world where we're (correctly) encouraged to speak up, to share ideas, and to make our voices heard, the idea of staying quiet can seem like stepping backward. But there is immense power in knowing when to hit the pause button and simply listen. Listening isn't just about staying silent. It's about active engagement with the speaker, it's about understanding their perspective, and it's about allowing room for thoughts to be expressed completely. Knowing when to remain silent allows for a few things: 1️⃣ Better understanding: You can't listen if you're doing all the talking. By staying quiet, you allow yourself to absorb more information and gain deeper insights. 2️⃣ Shows respect: By not interrupting, you demonstrate respect for the speaker's opinion, and you make them feel valued. 3️⃣ Encourages dialogue: When people realize that they're being heard, they're more likely to open up and share their ideas. You may be surprised by the ideas that come from simply encouraging others to talk and share their creativity. Remember, leadership isn't about having the loudest voice in the room. It's about fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. So, the next time you find yourself in a heated debate or an intense meeting, I challenge you to take a moment, sit back, stay silent, and just listen. #Leadership #Communication #ActiveListening

Mastering Communication: The Heart of Stewarding Leadership Stewarding Leaders Effective communication is vital for stewarding leaders as they engage with their teams, upper management, and subordinates. Authentic stewarding leadership hinges on more than just hearing others. It's about deeply understanding and thoughtfully responding to them. This active listening, coupled with empathetic feedback and clear questions, strengthens team connections and fosters mutual understanding. Stewarding leaders must communicate clearly and steer clear of jargon and overly complex terms. They should also be emotionally aware, adapting their style to suit the situation and prevent misunderstandings. By offering feedback respectfully and constructively, stewarding leaders encourage open dialogue and build trust. Non-verbal cues like eye contact, expressive gestures, and thoughtful tone of voice also play a crucial role in reinforcing messages and showing genuine respect and attention. However, several factors can challenge communication, such as biases, unclear messaging, heightened emotions, poor listening habits, and cultural differences. Overcoming these hurdles is essential for effective stewarding leadership and creating a supportive organizational culture. Stewarding leadership is not just about managing—it's about inspiring. When stewarding leaders communicate with clarity, empathy, and respect, they transform challenges into opportunities and individual contributions into collective successes. By fostering a transparent and respectful environment, stewarding leaders boost productivity and morale and ensure every team member feels valued and understood. This is the heart of inspirational stewarding leadership: not just to direct but to empower and unite through effective communication. Keep Living!