Communication is one of the most misunderstood leadership skills. Many assume it’s about speaking well or saying the right things at the right time, but in reality, it’s so much more than that. A leader may have the vision. A leader may have the competence. But without good communication, none of that reaches teams in a way that actually matters.
Here at Leadership Stack, we carry a lasting belief: Leaders who want lasting success can’t afford to underestimate the power of communication in leadership.
Great leaders understand that communication creates alignment. When goals are clearly explained, your team knows what to do, and more importantly, why it matters. Talking is easy. Making sure everyone moves in the same direction is not. This is where good leaders begin to separate themselves from the great ones.
Anne Sweeney, former Chair and President of The Walt Disney Company, explains it best: The greatest gift you can give your team is clarity. As a leader, your role is to create that clarity and turn it into unity. Remove all ambiguity and state your objectives and expectations early. With strong communication comes strong momentum, and you should never let that slip by.
Clear communication also sets the stage for trust. When you communicate openly, your team better understands your expectations, priorities, and what went into the decisions you made. Leaders who address challenges head-on make space for their team to spend less time speculating and more time contributing. Over time, this openness creates a culture where people are willing to speak up instead of staying quiet.
But don’t forget: trust is not built in a single conversation, but through consistency. If your message changes every week or your expectations shift without explanation, how can you expect your team to follow through? They stop taking direction seriously because they don’t know which version will stick. So, be consistent. If you have a game plan, see it through. Consistent communication establishes you as a leader who knows exactly what you’re doing.
Once you’ve made yourself clear and earned their trust, that’s when communication becomes a powerful driver of engagement. Employees are more committed when expectations are clear, and feedback is honest. Let’s say they’re presenting their output. Give praise when praise is due. Otherwise, instead of letting it slide, explain what “good” looks like, and tell them how they can get there. Acknowledging their efforts keeps them focused and motivated.
The absence of communication does the opposite. Mark Sanborn, a leadership speaker and author, once said that “In teamwork, silence isn’t golden. It’s deadly,” and he’s right. Silence creates uncertainty, and uncertainty weakens morale. When this happens, your team begins to disengage without a word.
The way around this is discipline. You are the gardener, and your company is your garden. If you leave it to grow on its own, it becomes a jungle. Give direction instead of leaving gaps, and address issues before your members can fill in those gaps themselves. Check in with your team consistently and provide direct feedback to keep them focused on execution. Even if all the details are not final, establishing a clear path for everyone is key to maintaining order.
Your voice matters most in times of change. Strategy shifts, restructuring, and rapid growth are all signs of progress, but they naturally create pressure. In moments like these, it’s your voice that your team looks to for direction. Establish a goal. Set your expectations. Leaders who speak clearly and with intent give people something solid to hold onto. By clearly directing where focus should go next, you keep your team focused and ready to move forward.
Lastly, you must remember that communication is a two-way street. As Stephen R Covey, an American educator, once put it, you must seek first to understand, then to be understood. Leadership isn’t just about giving instructions; it’s about listening to your team’s ideas, concerns, and criticisms before expecting alignment. Give them the floor to speak and feel heard by applying their feedback to improve your processes.
When you understand what’s actually happening on the ground, you can adjust processes and make better decisions for the whole company. Only then does it make sense to ask your team to follow your direction.
Leadership doesn’t fail because of a lack of vision. It fails when people don’t clearly understand where they’re headed or why it matters. It fails when teams fail to synchronize. That’s why it’s important not to underestimate the power of communication in leadership. With clear direction, you don’t just move your company forward. You ensure alignment and execution today and in the future.
If you’re serious about growing as a leader, treat communication as a daily discipline. You can explore deeper insights on leadership through the Leadership Stack Podcast, where I break down practical lessons on effective leadership. You can also read the latest articles on my blog, or get in touch with me when you’re ready to continue developing your leadership skills.
