BUILD LEADERSHIP WITH GOOD COMMUNICATION
May 25, 2022
There are 2 things that executives, unfortunately, do as part of their communication style that creates confusion and undermines leadership. But when executives improve these, they foster leadership in their managers and help everyone become more effective.
Don’t Go Around Your Managers
When you want to give instructions, coach, or correct staff, do it through (or with) the appropriate managers or through the quarterback in charge of the project. Don’t go around your managers and project quarterbacks. Don’t have discussions with staff without those managers present. If staff members want to talk privately, listen to them. Then ask the manager (or QB) to join your discussion and create a collaborative conversation. If you continue having conversations around managers or quarterbacks, you’ll set the manager, the quarterbacks, and the staff up for failure.
Don’t Look for Just Individual Opinions
As an executive, you want and need your managers to work well as a united team. A
A good team communicates well with each other and works together on a united plan. If this is what you want, don't ask them for individual opinions. They'll give them - and then you'll have the herd them back on the same page. That doesn't create leadership skills. Instead, ask the managers to talk, discuss, and debate with each other and to present a united game plan. When they present the plan, their leadership will sky-rocket and they'll get more buy-in from their teams. if they aren't united, the staff won't buy in or give their full energy because they'll know their managers don't agree with each other, so productivity wanes.
When your managers are united your teams will own it.
