If you find yourself in a leadership position, whether you’re leading a team, leading your family or leading people in your community, communication is a vital skill set and one that I’m constantly working on as a leader myself. 

When I say communication, I don’t just mean talking in front of people and telling people what you need. 

Such a big part of communication is being able to be a good listener. 

That can be listening to your team, listening to their frustrations, and hearing ways in which you can be a better support to them. But it’s also about listening to your customers and the other key stakeholders in your business.

• You want to be listening for the way people are talking to you—not just what they’re saying, but how they’re saying it. 

• You want to be listening for signs of emotion. 

• You want to encourage people to be able to say more. 

It’s really important for you to be able to delve deep into how people are feeling about the organisation that you’re running in order to be able to make really positive changes. Feedback is your friend. 

When it comes to interactions with your customers, you will find effective communication is also key to strong relationships and avoiding conflict. As people are handing over money to you, they need to know what they are getting in exchange and, most importantly, what they are not going to be getting.

Never blindly assume your message is clear. Assumptions will always let you down. 

The best way to take a load off of your to-do list is to make sure everybody really understands your intentions, where you’re coming from, and what you’re doing. The best way to do that is with regular communication. 

Set time aside to touch base with your customers and with your team. Communicating is not just about making sure the message is carried over. It’s being able to work in a cohesive environment and making sure that everybody, and all of the stakeholders, all have the ability to contribute to what’s going on in the business. This won’t be achieved if your communication is limited to once-a-year check-ins. It should be a regular part of your business operation. 

So I encourage you to keep the communication alive and commit to continually working on your communication as a leader.