How to Talk as a Leader

Leadership is defined as influence. This must be valued and respected because having influence is a massive responsibility. 

Much of this responsibility centers around talking as a leader. 

How we talk and communicate can open hearts or shut hearts. It can open doors or close doors. It can give favor or cause favor to be withheld. It can help give promotion or it can be the cause of losing an opportunity.

Did you know that the average man uses about seven thousand words a day and the average woman uses twenty thousand words?

This gives us plenty of chances to say something right and to say something wrong. Have you been there?

I know I’ve said wrong things so many times I can’t count them, but I’ve also said things right and I’ve seen what it does. This is why talking as a leader is monumental in our influence.

Paul spoke of this topic and said,

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬.

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬

Notice the challenge of having our words be gracious and attractive along with being helpful, encouraging, and good. This speaks to the foundation of how we talk as a leader and the biblical precedent in our communication.

This doesn’t mean we don’t speak the truth. Have confrontation and correct when things are wrong. But it does mean when we do this aspect of leading, we are being gracious & helpful, and it’s for the good of the person first.

The main thing is that we’re seeking to grow and develop how we talk as a leader. What we say matters and it has weight. When we use our words correctly, it propels influence forward and mobilizes action. When we use our words wrong, it demoralizes people and distracts them from progress.

So, here’s three things to practice in talking as a leader.

1st – Be honest. 

We cannot lie and mislead people. It’s wrong and dangerous. We must be honest and do so through love. Honesty can be tricky because there’s a risk with it, but it’s right and worth it. 

When the truth hurts or when it’s a no, it’s always better to hear the truth versus believing a lie. Being honest sets the path forward with the best next steps.

Are you being honest with those you are leading?

Honesty builds trust and dishonesty crumbles it. 

2nd – Do what’s best for the person.

When we do what’s best for the person, we do what’s best for the organization we are leading. When this gets turned backward, we get in trouble because our priorities are not correct.

I have learned that when I do what’s best for the person that is what is best for the organization. This must be the motivation for those we are leading. It cannot be what’s best for us or what is easiest for us. This self-absorb focus will cause our influence to suffer and hinder momentum.

When we seek to build people, we build the organization. When we make people better, the organization gets better. When we do our best for people, we’re giving our best to the organization. 

Are you doing what’s best for others or what’s best for you?

Put people first, they are the treasure.

3rd – Be clear.

Being clear in talking as a leader is vital. This gives the empowerment to move forward with what’s been shared. If there’s uncertainty or inaction, confusion take place and progress slows down.

I know for me I’m reaching to grow in this area. As leaders, we see it and begin to say it. But it is also necessary to think through it and be clear for individuals, the team, and the organization. 

The clearer we are, the easier the team can move forward. The clearer we are the greater the team can perform. As leaders we want things to move forward, grow, and get done. Therefore, being clear is a must for anything to happen. We must be clear in our vision, expectations, roles, and goals. 

This is a part of leadership and it’s a skill we develop over time. 

It’s important to note that being clear doesn’t mean we know every detail, because we don’t. But it does give clear direction, definition, and expectation of what is needed at that point in time. 

Being clear empowers everyone to move forward and be empowered in what they can do well. 

Are you clear with those you’re leading?

If more clarity is needed, ask for feedback on what they understand and what they don’t. Open sharing helps us be clear and move forward.

I encourage you to develop your communication as a leader. Please don’t assume everything is great and seek to grow in talking as a leader.

This is so important and when the leader grows everyone grows. We grow in our communication, the team will too.

God is with you and the best is yet to come,

PD