Ever notice how things start falling apart when you aren't communicating clearly with their team?
As a leader, your words can motivate, guide, or create a mess—and I've learned by doing all three in my career.
I was recently in a conversation where I was told by a senior exec that it's never appropriate to be fully transparent with their team. They felt that it was appropriate "to only selectively reveal portions of the truth."
Why is that? These reasons highlight the delicate balance leaders must navigate between openness and discretion.
Panic - Leaders might hold back on transparency because of concerns about creating anxiety among their team members. If the company is facing challenging times or significant changes, there may be the worry that sharing too much information will lead to decreased morale or even turnover.
Weakness - Some leaders fear being too open, especially about challenges or mistakes, might make them appear weak or incompetent. They might think admitting to struggles or uncertainties could undermine their authority and the team's confidence in their leadership.
Confidentiality - There are often legitimate confidentiality issues at play. Certain information, such as financial details, potential mergers, or sensitive personnel matters, might need to be kept under wraps for legal or strategic reasons.
"Uninformed teams will make up their own story." - Doland White
Here are three key points on how poor communication undermines leadership:
Erodes Trust and Credibility - When leaders fail to communicate clearly and consistently, it creates an environment of uncertainty and mistrust.
Decreases Morale and Engagement - Poor communication often leaves employees feeling undervalued and disconnected from the organization's goals. Without clear direction and feedback, motivation drops, and engagement wanes, resulting in decreased productivity and a lack of enthusiasm for the company's mission.
Fosters Confusion and Inefficiency - Ambiguous or inconsistent messaging leads to misunderstandings and misaligned priorities. Team members may duplicate efforts, miss important deadlines, or pursue conflicting objectives, all of which waste valuable resources and hinder the organization’s overall performance.
So, how can you balance communication with your team? Here are two tips that will help provide guidance.
Keep It Real with Your Team - First off, always be straight with your team. If things aren't going as planned or if there are changes on the horizon, let them know ASAP. Sugarcoating or hiding the truth only leads to confusion and mistrust. Instead, be upfront about the challenges and how you plan to tackle them. Your honesty will build a stronger, more trusting relationship with your team.
Stay Consistent with Your Messages - Nothing throws a team off more than mixed signals. If you say one thing one day and then something completely different the next, your team will be left scratching their heads. To avoid this:
Think and plan BEFORE communicating.
Make sure your messages are consistent and aligned with your goals and values.
Double-check that what you communicate in meetings, emails, and other channels all line up.
Consistency helps your team know what to expect and keeps everyone moving in the same direction.
To help leaders succeed, I created a framework based on my 40 years of leadership experience. It is designed to empower organizations by addressing four key aspects of leadership and team development.
Trust and Autonomy- You recognize that trust is the foundation of any successful team. By fostering trust and granting autonomy, you enable team members to take ownership of their work, make decisions, and innovate without constant oversight.
Communication and Transparency - You value open and honest communication as critical for team success. This pillar emphasizes the importance of sharing information freely, ensuring that everyone is on the same page, and fostering an environment where feedback and dialogue are encouraged.
Growth and Innovation - To stay competitive and forward-thinking, you focus on continuous growth and fostering innovation. This pillar supports creating opportunities for learning and development, encouraging creative problem-solving, and staying ahead of industry trends.
Systems of Accountability - You understand that accountability is key to maintaining high standards and achieving results. This pillar involves setting clear expectations, regularly reviewing progress, and holding everyone accountable for their contributions.
When your business is rooted in your four pillars, you can significantly enhance clarity and transparency within your team, driving better outcomes and a more empowered, cohesive work environment.
Learn more by downloading my book - LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE.
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