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  • Writer's pictureBarbara Mayfield, MS, RDN, LD, FAND

Effective leaders are communicators

Updated: Dec 3, 2022


A woman stands with a flowing red superhero cape.
The superhero skillset for leaders is communication.

Are you a leader? If you are reading this post, you are inevitably a leader. In a multitude of ways and with a multitude of various people, you make an impact through your words and actions.


Leaders are found in every setting in which people form groups or gather for any purpose. Leaders can be appointed, hired, volunteer, or “fall into” positions. Leaders lead committees, teams, organizations, movements, and more. In what settings do you have a leadership role? Who do you lead?


No matter where or who you lead...


What is something all leaders need to be effective?


Communication skills! They are a leader’s superhero skillset. This post shares 5 communication tips for successful leaders. For a downloadable copy of the free tip sheet go to: https://www.nutritioncommunicator.com/tip-sheets


5 Communication Tips for Leaders


Tip #1: Effective leadership requires communication

Many qualities describe effective leaders – honest, intelligent, innovative, and compassionate, among others. No one set of characteristics defines what leaders need in every situation. However, what every leader does need to be effective, no matter the setting or group they are leading is the ability to communicate well. Communication skills set leaders up for success.


Tip #2: Employ communication skills to understand people

The act of leadership involves leading others. It requires understanding the people one is leading and involves the communication skills of assessing their needs, listening to their dreams and concerns, demonstrating empathy, finding common ground, and creating connections. When people feel understood they participate in accomplishing goals and facilitating change.


Tip #3: Employ communication skills to research a situation

Leadership is needed when a situation arises that requires problem-solving, decision-making, or change. The effective leader employs a variety of communication skills for researching the facts, anticipating barriers, comparing and contrasting options, determining the desired outcomes, and selecting a course of action. Effective leaders are critical and creative thinkers.


Tip #4: Employ communication skills to cast a vision

Effective leaders are skilled at vision casting. This requires putting the problem or situation into context others can understand, helping them see what needs to be done, the role they can play, and the steps needed to reach the desired outcomes. When people can visualize the destination desired, they are well on their way to overcoming a problem or achieving their goals.


Tip #5: Continually grow your communication skills

Effective leaders are learners, continually growing their knowledge base and developing their skills. Having a teachable disposition creates in leaders a humble mindset, a willingness to expand their thinking, an openness to novel ways of solving problems, and flexibility for trying out new approaches. Leaders who grow lead others to grow, change, and achieve their goals.


This post wraps up a series focused on leadership. If you missed any of the previous posts, which expand on the tips above, take a look:


“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” ~ James Humes


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