Leadership Communication: Awareness
Our latest insight is from a recent series of executive coaching sessions which focused on topic of… leadership communication.
One of the coachees, a director felt really quite frustrated trying to get approval from key stakeholders and management who didn’t really see things the same way he did.
Another coachee was quite puzzled because at one meeting her presentation landed and people bought in but a week later delivering the same content the audience was completely confused, disengaged and lost.
Any of these situations sound familiar to you? Any idea on what helped to resolve these issues?
The answer was having a deeper awareness around communication.
When you’re self-aware, you actively reflect on how you communicate and the IMPACT your communication has on others around you. It’s not just about delivering your message and then leaving… it’s about how it’s received, understood, and then acted upon.
Its quite natural for us to default to one communication style for all situations. This is a little bit like using a hammer for every job. Sure, it works sometimes, but when you need a screwdriver, a hammer falls short. Effective communication means choosing the right approach for the situation.
So, you may be thinking ok so how can i grow in self-awareness as a leader? Here are a couple of strategies to start:
- Actively Seek Feedback: Ask those around you—bosses, team members, even clients—for honest feedback. The Johari Window is a fantastic tool for uncovering blind spots, helping you see what others see that you might have missed.
- Assessments: Tools like DISC or MBTI, combined with team mapping, offer valuable insights. These AHA moments can bridge gaps and help you understand how your style aligns (or contrasts) with those you lead.
If you’re ready to elevate your leadership communication, start with self-awareness. It’s not about changing who you are; it’s about understanding how you communicate so you can lead with greater impact.
A final thought then and perhaps something for you to think about is..
When was the last time you actively sought feedback from bosses or colleagues regarding your communication?
Stay tuned for our next insight, where we’ll explore how to build flexibility on top of self-awareness.