Successful Leader Practice # 2: Communication
Effective communication enables leaders to build trust, inspire action, and emerge from setbacks with a resilient, united team
I’ve seen it time and again in my decades working in HR and coaching leaders. Strong strategy and good intentions, but a breakdown in communication stalls momentum and chips away at trust.
This is the fourth article in a five-part series that I’m writing on effective leadership skills. In the first, I shared an overview of the three things successful leaders do. In the second, I steered leaders toward tactics to develop emotional intelligence (EQ). The third stressed the importance of knowledgeable navigation of an evolving business landscape. The final article dives deeper into empowerment, a critical skill when leading a team.
Leading Your Team with Effective Communication
I once worked with a leader who considered himself a great leader. He was smart, respected, and knew how to drive results. But something wasn’t clicking with his team.
During one of our coaching sessions, he said, “I’m giving them everything they need, including updates, direction, expectations. What am I missing?” The answer, as it turned out, wasn’t more information. It was a lack of connection with his team.
His messages were clear, but they lacked a personal touch. He didn’t pause to ask how his updates were landing. He didn’t check in when things felt uncertain. And slowly, his team began to drift. Yes, they met deadlines, but the spark was gone, energy dropped, and trust started to wear thin.
That story has stuck with me because it’s something I see all the time: Leaders who are technically communicating—but not in a way that actually reaches people.
Here’s the thing. Communication isn’t just what you say. It’s how you show up when you say it. It’s the tone in your voice. The way you sit during a tough conversation—the moment of silence after you’ve delivered something hard.
One of the best communicators I’ve ever worked with didn’t have a fancy vocabulary or polished delivery. What she did have was honesty, timing, and a willingness to speak up even when she didn’t have all the answers. She’d say things like, “Here’s where we are right now. I don’t know what next week looks like yet, but I promise I’ll keep you updated.” Her team trusted her not because she had every detail—but because she didn’t hide behind them.
Leadership moments are rarely perfect. That’s not the goal. The goal is to be real enough that your team doesn’t feel like they’re guessing.
And emotional intelligence? It’s not just a buzzword here. It’s what helps you recognize when your team needs reassurance versus when they need direction. It’s what keeps you from steamrolling a conversation when someone’s clearly upset. It’s the pause before the response. The “Tell me more about that” instead of jumping straight to a solution.
Strategies for Effective Communication
You don’t need to overhaul your personality to become a better communicator. Most of the time, it starts with listening just a little longer. Or choosing clarity over perfection. Or following up when you said you would, even if nothing’s changed.
If you’re navigating change—and who isn’t these days—the biggest mistake you can make is going silent. I get it. You want to wait until everything is clear before speaking up. But while you’re waiting, your team is filling in the blanks. And those blanks usually don’t get filled with the best-case scenario.
Say what you know. Acknowledge what you don’t. Offer to stay in the loop together. That alone can shift the entire mood of a room.
To communicate bad news effectively?
Be honest and direct by clearly explaining the situation without ambiguity.
Provide context—help team members understand the reasons behind the news.
Offer support by demonstrating empathy and providing resources to help the team navigate challenges.
So here’s something to think about: If someone on your team were asked how you communicate, what would they say? Would they describe you as present? Clear? Open?
You don’t need to guess. Ask them.
And if you’re not sure where to start, try this: At the end of your next team meeting, pause and say, “Hey—was that helpful? Anything I could explain better next time?” It’s simple. It’s human. And it builds trust faster than any slide deck ever will.
What’s One Thing You’ll Do Differently?
If you’re reflecting on your own communication, ask yourself: Do I listen as well as I think I do? Am I clear—or just thorough? Is there a message I’ve been avoiding?
Try changing just one habit this week. Speak up sooner. Pause longer. Ask more questions. See what shifts. And if you’ve seen great communication turn a moment around—your own or someone else’s—I’d love to hear that story.
For more resources and guidance on effective communication as a leader, feel free to reach out or explore other resources on my website.
Please also see:
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High / Joseph Grenny, Kerry Patterson, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, Emily Gregory, MD
Dare to Lead / Brené Brown
Leading Change / John P. Kotter
Learn more from Ken Meyers’ Successful Leaders series:
3 Things that Successful Leaders Do |EQ: The Cornerstone of Leadership Success |Successful Leader Practice #1: Navigation