Is Your Communication Failing? Follow These Tips & Communicate With Purpose

~ Effective leadership starts with clear communication — and that’s often easier said than done.

Clear Communication Creates Engaged and Driven Employees

Clear communication is the foundation of effective leadership, but it doesn't always come easily.

I recently worked with a tech startup CEO who couldn't understand why her team kept missing deadlines. "I told them what to do," she insisted. After shadowing her for a day, the issue became clear: her "communications" consisted of brief hallway comments and vague Slack messages. Sound familiar? Many leaders believe they're communicating when they're actually just speaking.

Oftentimes leaders can become so bogged down in their decision making or day-to-day tasks that they fail to communicate effectively with their employees. When this happens, teams become confused, misaligned, and disengaged.

Thankfully, there are simple and immediate changes one can implement to start communicating with colleagues in a purposeful and goal-driven way.

Here are five simple steps to improve communications within your team and keep purpose at the center of your leadership.

1. Define Communication Policies

Implementing clear guidelines for internal and external communications will empower employees to know and understand the best way to reach you and others. Make sure that employees understand preferred channels of communication (Teams, email, in-person) and expected response times.

Ask yourself: How often do your team members say, "I didn't know that" or "When was that decided?" These moments of confusion aren't just frustrating—they're warning signs of communication breakdown that drain your team's energy and confidence.

Keep in mind that preferred methods of communication vary by age group. For instance, Gen Z employees may be less likely to pick up a phone to communicate. Leaders should take into consideration these generational differences and set clear expectations up front to build a foundation for better communication.

2. Start Each Meeting With a Goal

Ensure meetings have a clear agenda and goal to maximize efficiency and engagement. State this goal in your opening remarks of the meeting to "anchor" all participants and ensure they have a clear understanding of the objectives.

3. Practice Active Listening

Active listening ensures everyone feels heard and understood. This can mean taking notes when someone is talking, asking appropriate questions afterwards, and giving nonverbal indications that you are actively listening such as nodding.

A marketing director I coached realized he was constantly interrupting his team during brainstorming sessions. When he finally committed to active listening—putting his phone away, taking notes, and asking questions only after others finished speaking—the relief on his team members' faces was immediate. "I finally feel like my ideas matter," one team member shared afterward. How might your team feel if they knew they would be truly heard every time they spoke?

4. Model Transparency

When appropriate, leaders should be able to share information openly and honestly with employees. Set an example for your employees by clearly communicating on issues that impact them and their work.

5. Provide Follow Up

Following a meeting, provide employees with written follow-up regarding what was discussed, next steps, and long-term goals. Communicating this in writing can help to memorialize your thoughts and strengthen the team's overall understanding of their mission.

Remember the anxiety you felt the last time you left a meeting wondering what exactly you were supposed to do next? That's exactly what your team experiences without proper follow-up. When you provide clear, written summaries, you're not just documenting decisions—you're providing the psychological safety your team needs to confidently move forward.

Think about your most recent team interaction. Did everyone leave with clarity and purpose, or with confusion and questions? The difference between these outcomes lies in how purposefully you communicate. Which experience do you want to create for your team tomorrow?

Communication is key to effective leadership, and there is always room for improvement. These five simple steps will provide a foundation for strong and transparent communication within your team that will help you achieve your near and long-term goals.

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