Let’s say you’re a corporate leader or aspire to be one someday. You have a lot of experience and academic achievements, but without proper communication skills, you can’t be the leader you could’ve been.
Proper communication skills do a lot of good in the workplace. In fact, 64 percent of business leaders agree that effective communication can increase team productivity.
Apart from work itself, effective communication also allows leaders to come off as more humane and understanding at work. Just 40 percent of employees rate their employer as excellent or very good when it comes to helping employees improve their overall well-being. If proper communication can be established between leaders and employees, this statistic can significantly improve.
So, we’ve established a clear fact that you can’t be a corporate leader and not have excellent communication skills. Now, an important question. How can corporate leaders hone their communication skills? We’ll tell you how.
Master the Art of Listening
When your employees, colleagues, or clients speak, they want to feel heard and genuinely understood. If you’re always waiting for your turn to talk instead of actively engaging in what’s being said, you’re missing valuable insights.
Practice listening with intention. Instead of formulating your response while someone is speaking, focus entirely on their words. Notice their tone, their body language, and the emotions behind their message.
A team that knows its leader listens will always perform better than one that feels dismissed.
The Power of Writing
Professional communication in the business world means mastering a variety of communication skills. This also means improving your writing skills. Emails, reports, presentations, and even company-wide memos all require a strong grasp of written communication.
According to Mandel Marketing, most emails you read these days come off as boring, confusing, or too long. In fact, we encounter a lot more mindless content than before. In the business world, such poorly written messages can cause misunderstandings, delays, and even frustration among your team.
On the other hand, well-structured and thoughtful writing can streamline workflows and reinforce your leadership.
Start by being concise. Lengthy emails filled with unnecessary details often lose the reader halfway through.
As written in the book An MFA For Your MBA (by Phillip Scott Mandel), consider eliminating uninspired clichés. Get straight to the point while maintaining a professional and approachable tone. Read through your writing before hitting send, and if possible, let it sit for a few minutes before reviewing it with fresh eyes.
Another important aspect of written communication is knowing your audience. The way you write to your executive team should differ from how you write to your employees or clients.
Adapt Your Communication Style to Your Audience
Great leaders don’t just have one way of communicating; they adjust their approach depending on who they’re speaking to.
A casual conversation with your employees will sound different from a high-stakes discussion with stakeholders. Understanding your audience and tailoring your communication accordingly shows emotional intelligence and respect.
If you’re speaking with your team about a challenging issue, a mix of honesty, encouragement, and problem-solving is more effective than a harsh directive. On the other hand, when addressing a boardroom full of executives, confidence and data-driven insights will carry more weight than casual storytelling.
The ability to switch gears seamlessly is what sets strong communicators apart from the rest.
Develop Emotional Intelligence in Your Interactions
Corporate leaders who communicate with emotional intelligence create stronger relationships and foster a more positive work environment. Being emotionally intelligent means understanding not just your own emotions, but also the feelings and perspectives of those around you.
People don’t just respond to words; they respond to tone, expression, and intent.
If you’re addressing a difficult situation, choosing the right words is just as important as delivering them with the right energy. A leader who is dismissive or overly aggressive can lose the trust of their team quickly. On the other hand, a leader who is empathetic and composed, even in high-pressure moments, can inspire confidence and loyalty.
Take a step back before reacting emotionally in conversations. If something upsets you, pause and assess the situation before responding. Likewise, if you see someone struggling, acknowledge their emotions rather than brushing past them.
Strong leaders create spaces where people feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment.
Being an effective communicator as a corporate leader isn’t about how much you say. It’s about how well you convey your message and connect with others. As you develop your communication skills, you’ll build stronger relationships and earn the trust of those you lead.
Remember: Communication is a skill that can always be refined, and the more effort you put into it, the more your leadership will thrive.
