AUTHOR’S NOTE: This post was initially drafted by Bing using
ChatGPT-4 connected to intelliven.com in response to a client question. See end notes for more.
Communication is essential for any organization to succeed. It helps align goals, foster collaboration, build trust, and resolve conflicts. However, many leaders struggle to communicate effectively with their employees, especially in times of change and uncertainty. In fact, one of the most common requests from employees in surveys is that they want more communication from their leaders.
So what should leaders do when they face this feedback? How can they improve their communication skills and meet the expectations of their employees? Here are four tips to consider, along with some examples and quotes from successful leaders:
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Listen more than you talk.
Communication is a two-way street, and employees want to feel heard and understood by their leaders. Listening is not only a sign of respect, but also a way to learn from your employees, understand their perspectives, and identify their needs and concerns. When you listen, you also show that you value their input and feedback, which can boost their engagement and motivation. To listen effectively, you need to avoid distractions, ask open-ended questions, paraphrase what you hear, and acknowledge their emotions. As Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, said: “To be a good leader you have to be a great listener. Brilliant ideas can spring from the most unlikely places.”
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Be clear and consistent.
Employees want to know what is expected of them, what is happening in the organization, and why. They also want to know how they fit into the bigger picture and how their work contributes to the vision and mission of the organization. To communicate clearly and consistently, use simple and direct language, avoid jargon and ambiguity, and repeat your key messages across different channels and platforms. Align your words and actions, and follow through on your promises and commitments. As Simon Sinek, author and motivational speaker, said: “Great leaders are clear. They understand themselves. They understand their purpose. They understand their why.”
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Be transparent and honest.
Employees want to trust their leaders, and trust is built on transparency and honesty. Transparency means sharing relevant information with your employees, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. Honesty means telling the truth, even when it is not what they want to hear. To communicate transparently and honestly, you need to share both good and bad news, admit your mistakes and limitations, explain your decisions and rationale, and address rumors and misinformation. As Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, said: “Honesty is a very expensive gift. Don’t expect it from cheap people.”
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Be empathetic and supportive.
Employees want to feel cared for and supported by their leaders, especially in times of stress and challenge. Empathy means putting yourself in their shoes and understanding their feelings and experiences. Support means providing them with the resources, guidance, feedback, recognition, and encouragement they need to succeed. To communicate empathetically and supportively, you need to express appreciation and gratitude, acknowledge their achievements and challenges, offer help and solutions, and celebrate their successes. As Oprah Winfrey, media mogul and philanthropist, said: “Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives.”
Communication is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires constant attention and improvement. By following these tips, you can enhance your communication skills as a leader and create a positive impact on your employees and your organization.
If you want to learn more about how to communicate effectively as a leader, visit and subscribe to IntelliVen for more insights and resources.
NOTES: The initial draft of this post was prepared by Bing using ChatGPT-4 and intelliven.com as the primary source in response to this prompt. If you would like to learn how you can use ChatGPT to ask intelliven.com for assistance with a business matter, send an email to: intelliven@intelliven.com. This post's featured image was generated by Dall-e, a neural network developed by OpenAI. For more information, visit: https://openai.com/blog/dall-e/.
