Skip to main content

[Leadership tools] Communication techniques

Communicating Like a Human (Not a Robot)

Communication isn’t just about exchanging words - it’s about connection. It’s how we share ideas, build trust, and move forward together. When done well, it can transform a team from a group of individuals into a cohesive, motivated force. In this chapter, I want to share a few techniques that have helped me - and that I believe can help any leader create a more open, engaged, and emotionally intelligent work environment.

Let me start with a confession: assertiveness used to terrify me.

I remember one moment vividly. I was leading a workshop with a group of senior professionals, and halfway through, someone challenged my approach - politely, but firmly. My heart raced. I knew I had to respond, but I also knew that if I let my emotions take over, I’d either shut down or become defensive. Neither would help.

People communicate in the office
So I took a breath, grounded myself, and said, “I hear your concern. Let’s explore it together.” That moment taught me that assertiveness isn’t about being forceful - it’s about being clear, calm, and respectful, even when emotions are high.

If you’re working on mastering your own communication style, start with the basics:

  • 🧭 Clearly explain tasks and goals. Don’t assume people know what you expect - spell it out.

  • 🗣️ Give feedback regularly, and ask questions to understand what your team is working on.

  • 🔥 Resolve conflicts early, before they simmer into resentment.

  • 📅 Align on deadlines and expectations so no one’s left guessing.

Making Office Talk More Human

Here are a few strategies that can make your communication more impactful and relatable:

  • Use short words for hard things. When conversations get tough, simplify your language. It’s not dumbing down - it’s making space for clarity.

  • Choose sticky metaphors. A good metaphor can turn a dry concept into something memorable. I once described career transitions as “changing trains mid-journey” - and that image stuck with my clients for months.

  • Humanize data. Numbers don’t speak for themselves. Wrap them in stories, context, and meaning.

  • Make mission your mantra. When your team knows why they’re doing what they’re doing, everything else becomes easier to communicate.

Four Techniques That Changed How I Lead

Let’s break down a few powerful communication tools I’ve leaned on over the years:

👂 Active Listening

This isn’t just hearing - it’s showing you care. Nod, paraphrase, ask questions. When people feel heard, they open up. It’s how trust is built.

💬 Assertive Communication

Say what you mean, kindly and clearly. Use “I” statements like “I feel” or “I need.” It’s not about winning - it’s about being honest without stepping on toes.

❤️ Nonviolent Communication

This framework changed how I handle conflict. It’s about observing without judgment, expressing feelings, stating needs, and making respectful requests. It’s empathy in action.

🪞 Feedback Communication

Feedback isn’t criticism - it’s a gift. Use the SBI model: describe the Situation, the Behavior, and the Impact. It helps people grow without feeling attacked.

Communication is a skill, yes - but it’s also a mindset. When we lead with empathy, clarity, and courage, we don’t just get things done - we build something worth being part of.



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

[Goal driven] A technique that has (almost) nothing to do with tomatoes

I know a lot of theory about time management, techniques, ways of organizing yourself and so. And I am sharing my knowledge with others as well. But the most rewarding part comes from actually applying these techniques myself. For example – using the Pomodoro technique has given me the joy of achieving significant progress in just a small amount of time. Imagine a bright red, glossy tomato-shaped kitchen timer sitting on a clean wooden desk. Its rounded surface gleams under soft daylight, with a small green stem on top, mimicking the look of a real pomodoro. Around its circumference, bold white numbers mark the minutes, with a simple arrow indicator showing the current countdown. The timer’s dial is currently set to 25 minutes, signifying the start of a focused work interval. Nearby, a notebook and pen suggest readiness for productivity, while the timer’s classic wind-up mechanism adds a tactile, satisfying element to the scene – a perfect embodiment of the Pomodoro technique in ...

[Management lessons] When the Best Plans Fail: Lessons from a troubled launch

A few months ago, my team was gearing up to launch a new automation tool for case assignment - a project that is key for the future, and also were we spent so much energy into. We spent weeks identifying scenarios, testing in a dev environment, and reflecting on potential issues. We wrote crystal-clear documentation and worked with a rockstar team of developers, testers, and communicators. We thought we had every base covered. But when launch day arrived, chaos ensued. The tool hit snags that never showed up in testing - edge cases we hadn’t anticipated. Worse, some team members seemed blindsided by the changes, despite our efforts to keep everyone in the loop. It was a classic “complex failure,” as Amy C. Edmondson describes in her book Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well . Complex failures, Edmondson explains, aren’t the result of one person’s mistake or a single oversight. They happen in intricate systems where multiple factors - technology, human behavior, and unexpe...

[VUCA world] For Leaders: Empowering Teams Through Chaos

In a VUCA world—Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous—leadership isn’t just about steering the ship; it’s about inspiring your crew to navigate the storm together. Rapid technological shifts, economic unpredictability, and evolving workplace expectations challenge even the most seasoned leaders. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities to innovate, connect, and grow. How can you empower your teams to thrive in this dynamic landscape? Drawing from my experience guiding people through turbulent times, I’ve outlined four strategies that blend clarity , agility , simplification , and trust with over-communication, innovative solutions, and emotional intelligence . These are the keys to transforming VUCA’s chaos into a catalyst for success. 1. Over-Communicate for Clarity in Volatility Volatility creates unease, but clear, consistent communication anchors teams . Leaders must over-communicate—repeating key messages, sharing context, and aligning actions with purpose. This isn...
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.