If you find that communication comes up as a problem team-wide or company-wide, it’s likely that it’s less of a communication problem and more of a trust problem. You likely see the survey results that rate communication poorly and wonder how you can possibly communicate more?! You email, you give speeches, you host town halls…and yet the survey says communication is a problem.
Here’s the real problem. When trust erodes, people mistrust what they hear and insert what they believe. When trust is present, communication flows much more freely and is felt more fully.
So how to fix it? First start with listening more and better. Dig in, ask more curious questions. Find out the root of the problem. What is blocking them from hearing? Where is there a tax of distrust on the system?
Two, and of vital importance, is work on you. Build a stronger core. Get clearer on who you are and what you believe. Become more trustworthy. You’re likely not lying, cheating, and stealing…but perhaps you delay hard conversations. Perhaps you use your position of power to influence others rather than the integrity of your intent and the worthiness of your argument. Slow down, figure out where you’ve got work to do leader, and get after it.
BUILT TO LEAD 