Post #4 in the Leadership Lessons Series
On the field, if your message doesn’t land, the game starts to lose shape.
In leadership — whether it’s in a site shed, a team meeting, or a tough conversation mid-shift — it’s the same. When communication misses, people don’t speak up. They hold back. They second-guess or quietly check out. And bit by bit, alignment starts to slip.
Here’s what this piece is really about:
- Communication isn’t about being polished — it’s about being connected.
- The message has to fit the moment — not just the agenda.
- Good leadership creates space for others to speak, not just to listen.
- This isn’t a natural gift — it’s something you can practise and get better at.
Clarity Over Volume
On the field, clarity doesn’t come from shouting. It comes from timing, tone, and knowing when to step in — and when to hold back.
In everyday leadership, it’s the same. People don’t need more words. They need something steady they can work with. That might look like:
- Slowing your pace, not raising your voice.
- Holding the room without filling it.
- Choosing the moment to speak — and knowing when not to.
The Message Lives in the Moment
The same words can land completely differently depending on what’s just happened, how people are feeling, and what they’re carrying.
Leaders who pause to check the mood — before they speak — tend to make better calls. They read the room. They sense when a team is holding tension, not trust. And they know the message won’t land unless the moment’s right.
Cutting Through Without Cutting Off
It’s easy to think strong communication means being direct. But clarity isn’t the same as bluntness.
The best communicators don’t just make their point. They create space. They leave room for others to stay in the conversation — not just receive it.
If people are nodding but not engaging, that’s not agreement. It’s retreat. And it’s a signal to stop talking and start listening.
From Talking at People to Leading with Them
Leadership talk often gets weighed down with strategy, pressure, and “the plan”.
But what people really need is a way to connect the dots. A way to feel part of the thinking — not just on the receiving end of a decision. That might sound like:
- “Here’s what we’re aiming for — and here’s what I know it might feel like.”
- “Let’s check we’re actually hearing each other — not just agreeing.”
- “Is this working where you are, or do we need to rethink it?”
That’s not soft. That’s leadership people can respond to.
A Question to Sit With
“What’s one recent moment where I spoke with clarity — and what made it work?”
Or maybe the better one is:
“Where did I miss the moment — and what would I do differently next time?”
You could use it as a check-in with your team.
Or just as a quiet reset for yourself.
Final Thought
In your next conversation — especially when the stakes are high — ask yourself:
- Does this fit the moment — or just the message I came in with?
- Am I helping people move — or just offloading what I need to say?
- Have I left room for a response — or just delivered a statement?
Because when communication really cuts through, it does more than land.
It creates movement — and people move with it.
