Empowering Leadership Through Communication

Leaders, let’s start this Tuesday with a commitment to fostering Trust within our organizations. As recent trends indicate, trust is not just an emotional asset; it's a foundational element of successful leadership. It has been my experience and observation that transparent communication and accountability are pivotal in nurturing trust. Similarly, the importance of consistent positive interactions and empowering employees through delegation are keys to building trust. The authority transferred to junior Sailors by delegating duties and responsibilities used to be a staple of identifying leadership potential and measuring their preparedness for greater levels of accountability. Here are three ways we can generate and maintain trust in our organizations: 1. Emphasize Transparent Communication: Ensure that every message, whether good or bad, is communicated clearly and openly. Transparency not only builds trust but also helps in aligning your team’s expectations with the organization’s goals. 2. Empower Through Delegation: Trust your team with responsibilities. Delegation is not just about distributing tasks; it's about showing trust in your employees' abilities to handle important roles, which in turn boosts their confidence and commitment to the organization. 3. Consistent Recognition and Feedback: Regularly acknowledge the contributions of your team and provide constructive feedback. This recognition fosters an environment of mutual respect and trust, which is essential for any thriving workplace. Leaders, I encourage you to share your experiences. What strategies have you implemented to build trust within your team? Let’s exchange ideas and continue to grow together! #Trust #BuildingResilience #LeadershipDevelopment #KempSolutions

I’ve done more leadership training that I’d care to admit. Over a decade working in politics and another decade in business, I’ve made the rounds through numerous programs focused on effective management, conscious leadership and everything in between. The sad part? I don’t remember any of it. Nothing stands out. Sure, I’ve got a few frameworks and models that I pull out of my hat every now and then. But not much changed how I showed up as a leader. Contrast this to training to be a coach. Coach training also has frameworks and models but the core activity in coaching is communication. And the core attribute in coaching is curiosity. Do you know how many leadership training programs teach let alone practice communication or embody curiosity? Very few. Communication and curiosity are at the core of leadership. More often than not, executives are informing or telling employees what to do rather than brainstorming or exploring whatever issue is at hand in the business. Most leadership training programs focus on the characteristics and qualities of leadership rather than the practice of leadership. A few programs incorporate projects to execute leadership. But so few include practicing how you as a leader relate to people. And that starts with how you communicate, and specifically how you listen. The three most important things about communicating as a leader are: - Listen more than you speak (shoot for at least 50% or more) - Mirror and paraphrase what you hear so they feel heard - Ask powerful open-ended questions (no yes/no answers) If more leadership training focused on practicing communication skills, this would improve connection between leaders and their teams as well as performance. Most business issues are at the heart of it about people and how they relate, and that starts with effective communication.

Tired of getting frantic calls from your team while you're on vacation? Here's the secret to enjoying your time off without your business falling apart... A CEO of an 8-figure company called me, inspired by my last post and ready to unplug on his upcoming vacation. His question? "How do I trust my team to handle things while I'm gone?" The answer is simple but not always easy: Make it okay for them to make mistakes. Mistakes are learning opportunities. When your team knows they can make decisions—even if they mess up sometimes—they become more confident, innovative, and resourceful. This not only lightens your load but also strengthens your team, fostering a culture of trust and growth. Imagine your team handling a client complaint gracefully or making an intelligent adjustment to a project timeline without your input. Here's how to create a culture of empowerment: 👉 Set Clear Expectations: Define roles, responsibilities, and decision-making authority. Make sure everyone knows what's expected of them. 👉Provide Resources and Training: Equip your team with the tools and knowledge to make informed choices. 👉Foster Open Communication: Encourage open dialogue where everyone feels safe to share ideas, concerns, and potential solutions. 👉Celebrate Wins AND Lessons Learned: Recognize successes and learn from setbacks together. This dual approach builds trust, fosters a culture of continuous improvement, and keeps your team motivated and engaged. Empowering your team is a win-win. You get peace of mind on vacation, and they gain valuable experience and confidence. When you build a thriving business, even when you're not around - you create an exponentially more valuable business. This is the power of empowering your team, a strategy that can transform your business and your leadership. #leadership #empowerment #teambuilding #delegation #culture #growth #trust #predictableprofits

Lessons From the Infantry Once, after hiking overnight for 15 kilometers in the swampy misery that is Fort Polk, Louisiana, with 55 lbs. on our backs, our platoon sergeant decided to stop the platoon so we could grab a couple of hours of sleep at sunrise. He chose a swamp with murky water about two feet high. Why did he choose a swamp? Because the “enemy” that we were wargaming against (OPFOR for Opposing Force) would never think to look for us resting in a swamp. Nobody would be that stupid… As young soldiers, we were pissed. Our solution was to find a tree to put our backs against so we could keep our heads above water. Turned out to be a brilliant call. OPFOR looked for us everywhere - except the swamp. The mission was far more important than our temporary discomfort. Trusting Leadership When You Don't Have All the Information Leadership, especially in military settings, often operates on a spectrum of information asymmetry. Those in command have access to a broader vista of intelligence, some of which cannot be disseminated for operational security. This is where trust becomes the cornerstone of effective leadership and team cohesion. Understanding the Why - It's crucial for leaders to communicate the 'why' behind decisions, even if the full details are under wraps. This fosters an environment where trust is built on the foundation of purpose, not just blind obedience. The Role of Transparency - While complete transparency isn't always feasible, leaders can nurture trust by being as open as possible. Sharing what you can, and being honest about what you can't, bridges the gap between knowledge and action. Empowering Through Trust - Leaders who trust their teams to execute based on partial information empower them. This empowerment fuels innovation, adaptability, and resilience—qualities essential for success in both military and civilian arenas. Learning from the Field - My analysis of corporate operations, particularly in the context of hiring veterans, has shown that trust in leadership doesn't just enable success; it's often a predictor of it. Teams that trust their leaders are more cohesive, more motivated, and more effective. 🌟 Final Thoughts As we navigate the complexities of leadership in high-stakes environments, let's remember the power of trust. Whether in military operations, the courtroom, or the boardroom, the principles of trust remain the same. It’s about building a foundation where leaders and their teams can thrive, even in the face of uncertainty. For those of us in leadership roles, let’s pledge to cultivate trust, communicate purpose, and lead with integrity. After all, the best decisions are made when leaders and teams operate in unison, guided by a mutual trust and a shared commitment to success. Wes out #Leadership #MilitaryLeadership #Trust #Integrity #Teamwork #UkraineWarAnalysis #MilitaryTechnology

I've been thinking a lot lately the impact of leadership in shaping a positive team culture. Here's what I've found makes a real difference 👇🏾 - 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻: When leaders share a clear vision and purpose, it’s like giving everyone a map and compass. It helps us all see where we're headed and why our work matters. - 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Trusting and empowering team members is crucial. When leaders delegate responsibilities and encourage us to take initiative, it sparks innovation and builds confidence. - 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Leaders who listen actively and provide honest feedback create an environment of trust. It’s about making sure everyone feels heard and valued, fostering a sense of community. - 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Recognizing achievements and offering growth opportunities boosts morale. Leaders who do this show that they care about our personal and professional development. - 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Challenges are inevitable. Leaders who stay positive and adaptable inspire us to do the same. Their resilience helps the whole team navigate through tough times together. Ultimately, leadership is about more than just directing tasks—it’s about nurturing a culture where everyone can succeed. By leading with empathy, vision, and purpose, we can build teams that not only reach their goals but also exceed them. Proactively foster environments where everyone feels valued, energized, and ready to tackle whatever comes their way. ✊🏾 #Leadership #TeamCulture #OpenCommunication ---------- Hey, I'm Kevin, I am the host of Working Wisdom and The Toxic Leadership Podcast and provide daily posts and insights to help transform organizational culture and leadership. ➡️ Follow for more, Dr. Kevin Sansberry II ♻️ Repost to share with others (or save for later)