“What we have heard is a failure to communicate.”

The Captain in Cool Hand Luke 1967

For us boomers, this quote above brings to mind the movie “Cool Hand Luke “(Google it). In the film, Luke refuses to comply and speaks back. The Captain used the excuse, ” What we have here is a failure to communicate, “as a justification to be abusive. “My bet is you have experienced a failure to communicate in many facets of your life, from work to school to home. Have you ever felt you missed a note, text, call, or memo? Were you asking? I never heard or saw that. Did you think out of the loop? Communication, or the lack of it, is the basis of most of the significant events in history.

Effective communication is the lifeblood of leadership, and a critical capacity of leadership must be intentionally developed and continually refined. It is an art—requiring empathy, intuition, and presence—and a science grounded in research, psychology, and a set of learnable skills. For leaders, mastering communication is not just a personal asset; it is a catalyst for organizational success, trust, and engagement, which is a lifeline. However, communication concerns are at the top of the list of employee concerns. A recent TEAM Newsletter 10 Leadership Issues in the Workplace cited Communication barriers as the #1 leadership issue in the workplace. The authors note, “Effective communication is crucial for any leader to engage and motivate their team. However, communication barriers such as language differences, cultural variations, and poor listening skills can hinder this process. “Ricardo Castellano, in a recent LinkedIn article, Cracking the Code: The Art and Science of Effective Communication for Leaders, wrote that Communication is like a bridge that connects the leader and their team. A strong bridge can withstand any obstacle, allowing both sides to reach their destination smoothly. A strong bridge can lead to communication, clarity, and success. As leaders, we must ensure the communication bridge is solid and secure. Charles Duhigg, in Supercommunicators, writes that “Communication is connection. “The primary concern for enhancing one’s leadership practice and organization success is communication. Communication is hard work.

This Thursday, Leadership Insight is the first of a five-part series on the leadership capacity of communication. It defines communication, describes the art and science of communication, and provides an overview of the four pillars of communication.

Communication defined.

Merriam-Webster defines communication as a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a standard system of symbols, signs, or behavior. Duhigg, in The Supercommunicators, defers to communication as a human connection.

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The Art of Communication Great communicators, as Charles Duhigg describes in Supercommunicators, excel at reading emotional cues, asking powerful questions, and building authentic connections. They listen deeply, adapt to their audience, and foster psychological safety, especially in conflict or high-stakes situations. The art lies in empathy, storytelling, and the ability to make others feel heard and valued.

The Science: Stephanie Chung’s work in Ally Leadership highlights that communication is also a brain-based skill. Leaders can use science-backed “brain hacks” to communicate with more clarity and impact,such as pausing to reflect, framing messages positively, and practicing self-awareness to regulate their responses. These techniques are not innate; they can be learned, practiced, and refined.

A Learnable Skill: Communication is not a fixed trait. As John Maxwell in The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication and Stephen Covey in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People emphasize, leaders can and must—continually develop their communication skills through intentional practice, feedback, and self-reflection. This growth mindset transforms communication from a talent to a teachable, repeatable skill.

Communication is the most important skill in life. We spend most of our waking hours communicating, yet we’re not always good at it. And if we want to succeed, we need to get better.

Stephen Covey

The Four Pillars of Effective Leadership Communication

Present Listening:

Be fully present, listen actively, and seek to understand before being understood. Covey’s Habit 5, “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood,” is foundational. Leaders who listen deeply build trust, empathy, and collaboration.

Powerful, Curious Questions: Ask open-ended, empathetic questions to uncover needs, perspectives, and solutions. Duhigg’s research shows that asking sensitive, open-ended questions fosters connection and uncovers underlying issues, especially in conflict.

Pause to Respond and Reflect: Use intentional pauses to process, reflect, and respond thoughtfully, not reactively. The “power of the pause” allows leaders to regulate emotions, avoid knee-jerk reactions, and create space for thoughtful, impactful responses. John Maxwell often notes that pausing to reflect leads to insights for future action.

Practice: Continuously practice, seek feedback, and adapt communication strategies for improvement. Communication excellence is built through deliberate practice—soliciting feedback, reflecting on outcomes, and adapting to different contexts and audiences. Nicki Keohohou of the Direct Selling World Alliance often says that the power of practice is not that practice makes perfect; the real power is that practice makes permanent “.

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Seven Benefits of Enhanced Leadership Communication

The works of Maxwell, Covey, Gallup, and Stephanie Chung reveal seven evidence-based benefits of improving leadership communication:

1. Builds Trust and Connection: Open, honest communication fosters trust and psychological safety within teams.
2. Inspires Action and Vision: Clear articulation of goals and vision motivates teams to achieve and champion organizational objectives.
3. Enhances Team Collaboration: Effective communication breaks down silos, encourages collaboration, and improves teamwork.
4. Boosts Employee Engagement: Employees who feel informed and heard are more engaged, productive, and loyal.
5. Facilitates Conflict Resolution: Leaders skilled in communication can navigate and resolve conflicts constructively, maintaining harmony and focus.
6. Drives Better Decision-Making: Open dialogue and active listening enable leaders to gather diverse perspectives and make informed decisions.
7. Cultivates a Culture of Feedback and Growth: Regular, constructive feedback and two-way communication foster continuous learning and development.

Communication is the real work of leadership. It is hard work, and given the multi-generational, diverse populations and evolving technologies, it is a source of continued learning in one’s leadership practice. By embracing both the art and science of communication—and committing to actively using the Four Ps, the four pillars of present listening, powerful questions, pausing, and practice, leaders can transform not only their effectiveness but also the culture and performance of their organizations. As Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less.” And influence begins with how we communicate.

Next week’s Article: Present Listening

The Leadership Question for you then is.

1. How can you improve your communication as a leader?