A Secret to Stronger Leadership?
Great leaders know that communication is at the heart of every success and every challenge.
Whether you're navigating difficult conversations, inspiring your team, or aligning stakeholders, the way you communicate directly shapes outcomes.
We all assume we’re communicating clearly, but it’s not always that simple. In moments of pressure or uncertainty, we often default to speaking and filling the space with words. Yet, sometimes the most powerful leadership move is to listen.
Effective communication is a two-way street. It’s not just about what you say but also how you listen, interpret, and respond. Every conversation is an opportunity to build trust, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful impact.
This month, I invite you to reflect on your communication style: Are you saying what truly needs to be said? And are you listening when it matters most? Let’s work on making your leadership voice clearer, more confident, and more impactful.
Best,
Susanne
We want to ensure our message is understood the way we intend. But here’s the challenge: The way we think we communicate isn’t always how others experience it. Seeking feedback on your communication style helps you make small adjustments that lead to stronger relationships, better collaboration, and more effective leadership.
Try this quick exercise to gain new insights into your communication style.
Choose a trusted colleague, mentor, or friend and ask them:
✔ How would you describe my communication style?✔ What do I do well?
✔ Where could I improve?
Listen without defending. Take notes on what surprises you. (And say thank you!)
Pick one insight to focus on improving this month.
Remember: The way we think we communicate isn’t always how others experience it.
My Favorite Resources
Great leaders never stop learning. Each month, I’ll share a few resources–books, articles, podcasts, and tools–to help you lead with clarity and confidence. This month’s resources are focused on helping to improve your listening skills and communicate your vision more effectively.
Book
The Advice Trap by Michel Bungay
A personal favorite–this book challenges us to talk less, listen more, and resist the urge to immediately offer solutions.
Article
The Best Steps for Communicating Vision at Your Organization
This article from the Center for Creative Leadership explores articulating and communicating your vision to ensure it resonates with others.
Summer is the perfect time to step back, reset and realign your team. A retreat can help you strengthen connections, spark new ideas and set a clear course for the year ahead. But only if it’s thoughtfully planned and facilitated.
If you are considering a team retreat, now is the time to think about booking that on the calendar. I’ll help guide the conversation, keep your team engaged and make sure you walk away with both clarity and momentum. And as a leader, you get the added bonus of fully participating—without the pressure of facilitating.
