Even the most skilled communicators have moments when their message does not land. You might be clear, confident, and well-prepared, but the other person’s expression or response tells you something is off. This is where flexibility becomes a leadership strength.
Sticking with the same approach when it is clearly not working can create frustration on both sides. The other person may shut down, get defensive, or become disengaged. You may feel the need to push harder, explain more, or retreat altogether. None of those options improves the connection.
(more…)by Michelle Cummings
Most leaders spend a lot of time refining what they want to say. Fewer think about how that message is actually received. But communication isn’t about transmission – it’s about connection. And connection often hinges on how well you understand your own natural style and how others might interpret it.
DiSC is one of the most widely used communication and behavior assessments for a reason. It gives people a common language to understand preferences, tendencies, and blind spots. Are you fast-paced and assertive? Warm and people-focused? Analytical and cautious? Each DiSC style brings strengths—but also potential friction when misunderstood.
(more…)by Michelle Cummings
Listening is one of the most important skills in leadership – but it’s also one of the easiest to fake. You can nod, smile, and even repeat back a few words, all while planning your next comment. But true listening asks something deeper: patience. And nothing reveals a listening gap faster than interruption.
Most interruptions don’t come from a place of disrespect. They come from habit, urgency, or the belief that we already know what’s coming next. But when we interrupt or shift the conversation before the speaker finishes, we cut short more than their words. We cut short their thinking, their trust, and their willingness to fully engage.
(more…)by Michelle Cummings
Communication is more than talking. It’s a two-way process that requires both clarity from the sender and presence from the receiver. But too often, we focus on crafting the perfect message and forget that communication only succeeds if someone truly hears it. That’s where active listening makes all the difference.
The classic sender-receiver model reminds us that every message travels through a channel – and every channel has noise. In modern workplaces, that noise is everywhere: notifications, emails, multitasking, and mental distractions. As a result, messages often get distorted or lost before they land. Active listening is the skill that cuts through that noise.
(more…)Good communication is not just about the message. It is also about how the message is delivered. Pace and tone are two often-overlooked tools that can make or break understanding. Leaders who know how to adjust these elements create more connection and reduce friction, even with people who have very different communication styles.
Some people prefer a quick, energetic pace. They want to get to the point and move on. Others need a slower rhythm, time to reflect, and space to process before responding. The same goes for tone. One person may respond well to enthusiasm and high energy, while another may feel more at ease with a calm, steady approach.
(more…)Successful conversations do not start with the words you choose in the moment. They start with the thought you put in beforehand. One of the most powerful ways to prepare for a conversation is to consider what drives or discourages the other person. This small step can shift the entire tone and outcome.
Everyone has unique motivators: things that inspire energy, excitement, and engagement. They also have triggers that cause frustration, defensiveness, or disengagement. When leaders take time to understand these factors, they can approach conversations in a way that resonates instead of repels.
(more…)Leadership is often measured by how well someone gives feedback. Yet equally important, and sometimes overlooked, is how leaders receive feedback. The way a leader listens and responds to input sets the tone for the entire organization. When leaders approach feedback defensively, they discourage honesty. But when they are open, curious, and composed, they model the very culture of growth they hope to cultivate.
Receiving feedback well begins with mindset. Neuroscience shows that our brains are wired to perceive criticism as a threat, which can trigger defensiveness or withdrawal. The key is not to silence these natural reactions but to manage them. Leaders who enter feedback conversations with the intention to learn, rather than to protect their ego, create the space for genuine dialogue and stronger relationships.
(more…)Strong communication is not just about what you say. It’s about how you say it and how you listen. Leaders who adapt their approach to match the preferences of the person they are speaking with build stronger relationships and create more effective conversations.
People have different communication needs. Some thrive on direct, concise messages. Others prefer detailed context before making decisions. Some process ideas out loud, while others need time to reflect before responding. When you understand these differences, you can adjust how you speak and listen to make your message land more effectively.
(more…)Feedback is one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit. Done well, it inspires growth, strengthens relationships, and builds trust. Done poorly, it can erode confidence and shut down communication. Leaders who master the art of feedback don’t just transmit information. They deliver it in a way that resonates with the person receiving it.
At its core, effective feedback is not about telling someone what they did wrong. It’s about creating clarity and opportunity. Research shows that employees are more motivated when feedback highlights both strengths and areas for improvement, framed in a way that is specific, actionable, and supportive.
(more…)
×
Tag: Effective Communication
© 2012-2025 Personify Leadership. All Rights Reserved.
Recent Comments