Think back to the last time you walked away from a conversation thinking, “That went well.” What made it so good? Chances are, it wasn’t the other person’s fancy vocabulary or how many management books they’d read. It was probably that they listened, they got you, and you left feeling heard. That’s communication done right—and it’s the beating heart of leadership.
We often talk about vision, strategy, and execution, but none of those matter if you can’t connect with the people around you. Leaders who can’t communicate are like fitness coaches who never leave the sofa—lots of ideas, but nothing gets moving.
So how do you step up your communication game and use it to inspire, lead, and actually enjoy the process? Let’s break it down.
Listen Like You Mean It
Most of us are guilty of listening with half our brain while the other half drafts a response. The problem? People notice. They feel it. Listening isn’t just waiting for your turn—it’s leaning in, asking questions, and showing you care about what’s being said.
When I ran a workshop with a small team of health service managers, the turning point wasn’t my presentation. It was when I shut up and asked them what was hardest about their day-to-day. Suddenly, the room lit up. They didn’t want another PowerPoint; they wanted to be heard. That simple act of listening created trust and changed the conversation.
Ask yourself: when was the last time you really listened—like phone-down, no interruptions, full attention kind of listening?
Adapt to Your Audience
We all know that person who speaks to their boss, their kids, and the barista in exactly the same way. Spoiler: it doesn’t work. Good communication flexes. It’s about speaking someone else’s language without losing your own voice.
Take emails, for example. Some people want the two-line version. Others want the full page with bullet points. When you adapt your message to the person you’re speaking to, you don’t just share information—you build a bridge.
Leaders who adapt don’t water things down. They tune in. And tuning in shows respect.
Don’t Forget the Body Language
Communication isn’t just words. It’s your posture, your eyes, your tone. You can say, “I’m listening,” but if your arms are folded and you’re glancing at your watch, no one buys it.
Even over Zoom, body language matters. Look at the camera. Sit up straight. Smile. Yes, smiling on a video call feels weird, but it changes the way your voice comes across. People hear warmth, and they respond to it.
Ask yourself: what are you saying when you’re not speaking?
Keep It Short, Keep It Clear
Ever been trapped in a meeting where someone uses ten words when three would do? Torture.
Clarity and brevity are gifts. They show respect for people’s time and attention. You don’t need to dumb things down, but you do need to cut the fluff. Great communicators can explain complex ideas in simple terms. That’s why leaders who can explain the “why” in under a minute get follow-through where others get glazed looks.
Treat Everyone Like They Matter (Because They Do)
A simple rule: talk to the intern the same way you’d talk to the CEO. When people feel respected, they bring their best selves to the table. When they don’t, they stop showing up—not physically, but mentally.
It’s amazing how much influence you gain when people know you see them as equals in the conversation, not just cogs in your machine.
Take Notes (Yes, Really)
There’s nothing more frustrating than repeating yourself three times because someone didn’t write it down. Jotting notes shows you’re paying attention, and it gives you something solid to follow up on.
I once worked with a manager who always carried a pocket notebook. He didn’t talk much in meetings, but he remembered everything. People trusted him, not because he had the loudest voice, but because he never dropped the ball.
Stay Positive (Even When It’s Rough)
Positivity doesn’t mean fake smiles and “everything is fine” speeches when it’s clearly not. It means keeping a constructive tone, even when addressing problems.
Smile on the phone. It changes your voice. Keep your cool in tough conversations. It changes how people see you. Leaders who stay steady under pressure don’t just calm the room—they build loyalty.
Think Before You Speak
How many fires have started because someone blurted out the first thing that popped into their head? A pause is free, and it saves a lot of clean-up.
Before you respond, ask yourself: Is this clear? Is this respectful? Does this move us forward? That little filter can turn a potential conflict into a productive conversation.
Why This Matters
Communication isn’t just another leadership skill—it’s the foundation everything else stands on. Want to set a vision? Communicate it. Want to build trust? Communicate it. Want to avoid endless rework and frustration? Communicate it.
Without it, your great ideas never leave your head, your team guesses instead of acts, and you spend more time cleaning up messes than making progress.
With it, you can create clarity, inspire action, and actually enjoy working with the people around you.
Your Next Move
So here’s your challenge:
- This week, pick one conversation where you’ll listen more than you speak.
- One message you’ll rewrite to make clearer and shorter.
- One moment where you’ll pause before replying.
Small shifts make a huge difference. Over time, they don’t just change your communication—they change the way people see you as a leader.
And if you want more tools, stories, and practical frameworks to sharpen your leadership, Winning The Game is packed with them. Think of it as your playbook for turning everyday conversations into real leadership wins.
Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t about having the loudest voice. It’s about creating connections that move people forward—with you, not just for you.