Latest Podcast Episode:

3 practical ways to improve your ideas and get buy-in

Latest Podcast Episode: 3 practical ways to improve your ideas and get buy-in

Ready to become a better boss Today?

E-mail me new posts

Lack of clarity is a performance killer. For you and your team.

When we fail to clarify the meaning behind our words, we fail our teams in the process.

Most employees get anxious around managers who can’t communicate clearly. On the other hand, managers who’ve learned to get to the heart of the matter swiftly are better communicators and by extension better leaders.

Some of the worst bosses I worked for were perfectly good people. They were just horrible communicators. They lacked the ability to see and communicate clearly. They made a lot of sense, but only in their own heads.

Beginning today, start paying attention to your daily communication and you’ll discover there’s a significant opportunity for improvement. Here are three areas that can make an immediate difference in your communication and leadership.

1. When assigning work.

Strive to be specific with the outcome you have in mind. If the outcome is “unclear” in your mind, chances are you’re not in a position to delegate it just yet. Iron out your thinking before taking action.

If you’re giving a timeline. Give an actual timeline. Too often we get lazy and say something like: “How about next week?” or “Next quarter?”. That’s not a timeline. That’s an estimation. I want you to get precise. “Next Thursday”, “15th of September” etc.

Clarify whether it’s a negotiable timeline or it’s a deadline. Go one step further and explain the impact of missing the deadline. When you share the impact of missing, employees have a better picture of what’s at stake.

Consider closing the meeting with an agreement: “Are you able to commit to this project and timeline?”. Create space for your employees to ask questions. Questions are good. Questions are a sign they care. Encourage more curiosity.

2. When sharing difficult feedback with an employee

Amateurs give feedback. Professionals give clear, actionable feedback. Big difference. One is lazy, the other potentially life-changing.

Most of the time we make it harder on ourselves by sending mixed signals. We try too hard to “soften the blow” or “couch our feedback“. While our intention is pure, we end up diluting the message. This causes more frustration and anxiety than just stating the facts clearly and succinctly.

If your employee is doing something wrong, you need to clearly communicate it. The point of this isn’t punitive. The point is to share information the other party might not know or may have forgotten.

Here’s how you can make your feedback constructive, not destructive.

  1. If you don’t have an example to share, you don’t have feedback to share.
  2. If you’re not willing to be wrong, you have no business giving it.
  3. If you’re angry, you’re not in the right place to give it.

Most employees are desperate to know where they stand. We need to make it easy on them by telling them. When we sugarcoat our feedback, we’re telling ourselves that our employees aren’t capable of having a difficult conversation. We’re simply making assumptions without understanding the complete picture.

Feedback is about context, poise, and vulnerability. The goal is to remain tough on the problem yet tender on the person. That’s the job of a leader. That’s what we need you to do.

3. When communicating difficult news to your boss

When it comes to sharing difficult news with your boss, beating around the bush is a futile strategy. Most managers expect direct, crisp information from their direct reports. You’re better of leading with the bad news as fast as you can.

If a customer is about to jump ship and you need your boss to step. Try:

XYZ customer might churn if we don’t do XYZ. I need your help in prioritizing these urgent resources. I’m also requesting your help in attending the next QBR and sharing the roadmap. I have slides ready for you.”

If there’s one thing most managers hate, it’s the element of surprise, especially the bad kind. Avoid surprising your manager by optimizing for clear, direct no-nonsense communication.

Improving your ability to clearly communicate is a skill that can be learned with deliberate practice. Next time you find yourself in a meeting with a leader you admire, notice how quickly they get to the heart of the matter. They move fast. They don’t waste time.

Ali

Be the first to know!

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list
and get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Ready to become a better boss today?

Custom designed training for busy managers like you.
1 week. 5 e-mails. 1 minute per day.

GET STARTED WITH A FREE COURSE

Ali Merchant logo

Ready to become a better boss?

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list to get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Ali Merchant logo

Ready to Become a Great Boss Today?

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list to get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Ali Merchant logo

Listen to the All-in Manager Podcast

Subscribe to my exclusive mailing list to get the freshest posts delivered straight to your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Ali Merchant logo

Before we send you the FREE course, select the option that best describes you below.

FOR NEW MANAGERS   FOR SENIOR LEADERS

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Learn How to Become a Great Manager in only 5 Days!

IN THIS FREE E-MAIL COURSE, YOU'LL LEARN:

  • 5 ways to connect and build trust with your direct reports.
  • My word-for-word scripts, templates and 15 questions to run great 1:1s
  • 8 steps to better delegation to save you time and build trust
  • 4 steps to delivering feedback-that-works
  • 5 mistakes to avoid as a new manager and 3 tactics to beat stress

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Learn How to Become an Influential Leader in only 5 Days!

IN THIS FREE E-MAIL COURSE, YOU'LL LEARN:

  • How to listen to build influence
  • How to start G.R.O.Wing your employees today
  • 5 powerful questions to create meaningful progress
  • How to Identify your leadership blindspots
  • 3 techniques to beat overwhelm and take back your life

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Want a step-by-step guide to delivering feedback that actually works!

How to Deliver Exception Feedback

GET THE:

  • 4 step planning workbook to gain clarity before your next conversation
  • 5 power questions to get your employee un-stuck during the conversation
  • 7 commitment questions to inspire behavior change

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Subscribe for bonus content

Subscribe for bonus content

Join my mailing list to receive the latest podcasts, videos and bonus content (only available to subscribers)

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest