Phyllis Caddell is an author, ghostwriter, publicist, and communications strategist. She has been guiding clients in developing, crafting, and improving their brand narratives for over 27 years.
Effective communication has become paramount for business leaders in today’s fast-paced, hybrid work environment. Leaders must be able to communicate clearly, empathetically, and persuasively, whether they are speaking to their team in-person, leading a virtual meeting, or crafting an important email.
10 essential communication skills that every business leader should master
1. Active listening
Actively listening is one of the most important skills for leaders to have. This means concentrating on what the other person is saying, withholding judgement, and trying to understand their perspective. Active listeners ask thoughtful follow-up questions, paraphrase key points back to the speaker, and avoid interrupting. This action communicates to the speaker that you respect their input and helps establish trust.
In virtual settings, active listening is just as important as it is in-person. When on video calls, remember to maintain eye contact with the camera, avoid multitasking, and periodically summarize what you’ve heard. When speaking with someone over the phone, eliminate distractions and give them your full attention. I am a work in progress with this skill but I’m working on it.
2. Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is about being in tune with your emotions and others. Leaders with high EQ are self-aware, empathetic, and socially perceptive. They know how to tweak their communication style to connect with different types of people.
EQ is especially important in virtual settings, where it can be harder to pick up on nonverbal communication. During virtual interactions, emotionally intelligent leaders make an extra effort to observe vocal cues like tone of voice and pace of speech. Make a point to check in on your team’s feelings and create a safe space for everyone to share.
3. Concise and clear messaging
Whether in a meeting room or on a video call, effective leaders know how to get their points across clearly and concisely. They avoid jargon, get straight to the point, and structure their thoughts in a logical flow, especially since audiences might be multitasking.
When communicating online, leaders need to be extra careful about staying focused and avoiding going off-topic. They may also need to repeat key points or rephrase ideas to ensure understanding. Sharing visual aids like infographics or documents can also help reinforce the main ideas.
4. Storytelling
The most engaging leaders are skilled storytellers. They use narratives and examples to take people on a journey and make complex ideas more relatable. Storytelling triggers an emotional response and helps information stick.
This skill is just as important in virtual settings. Leaders can share personal anecdotes, use vivid imagery, and even throw in some drama and suspense to engage their audience. Visuals like photos or short video clips can also enhance storytelling.
5. Adaptability
The ability to adapt is a vital communication skill for leaders—Being flexible and adjusting their style and approach to meet the needs of situations and audiences. This might mean being more formal and directive in one meeting, and then more casual and collaborative in the next.
In the virtual space, adaptability is more critical. The ability to switch between various communication platforms and technologies is essential. Also being able to pivot delivery style based on the virtual medium, the size of the audience, and the purpose of the interaction is a must.
6. Confidence and presence
Confident and poised communication is essential for effective leadership. Leaders who speak with conviction, make eye contact, and carry themselves with authority commanding respect and influence.
Confidence is equally crucial in virtual settings, where nonverbal cues may be less noticeable. Speak with energy and clarity, maintain eye contact with the camera, and use hand gestures. They should also ensure their background and appearance are professional.
7. Empathy and compassion
Empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others – is a vital leadership skill. Empathetic leaders create a climate of trust, innovation, inclusivity, make their team members feel heard and valued.
Showing empathy is especially important in a virtual environment with limited in-person interactions. Use active listening and open-ended questions to demonstrate care and compassion.
8. Feedback and coaching
Leaders who are effective have the ability to provide constructive feedback and coach their team members. They deliver thoughtful critiques and offer specific guidance on how to improve.
When giving feedback remotely, be extra careful and considerate. Prioritizing one-on-one meetings, communicate clearly, seek feedback, and use screen sharing for real-time feedback.
9. Collaboration and inclusion
Leaders must promote collaborative and inclusive work environments, both physically and virtually. This means actively seeking diverse perspectives, and creating opportunities for teamwork, assuring everyone feels valued and has a voice.
In a virtual setting, use tools like breakout rooms and virtual whiteboards to create engaging, interactive experiences that give all team members a chance to participate.
10. Versatility and lifelong learning
Effective leaders recognize that communication skills are ever-evolving. Versatile leaders are lifelong learners, consistently striving to enhance their communication skills through training, coaching, and real-world application.
This is especially true in the virtual realm, where technologies and best practices are rapidly evolving. Adaptable leaders stay up-to-date on the latest virtual communication tools and techniques, and are willing to experiment to find what works best for their team.
For business leaders in today’s hybrid world, being able to communicate effectively is super important. By developing skills like active listening, emotional intelligence, and a solid virtual presence, leaders can inspire, influence, and empower their teams, no matter where the team is located.
Phyllis R. Caddell, Communications Strategist
Phyllis Caddell is an author, ghostwriter, publicist, and communications strategist. She has been guiding clients in developing, crafting, and improving their brand narratives for over 27 years. A subject matter expert (SME) and adjunct professor for Azusa Pacific University, she holds an M.A. in Organizational Communications, an M.S. in Internet Marketing, and a B.A. in Public Relations.
