Being a great communicator is often associated with having the ability to speak well, but I think it’s worth looking more deeply into what being a great communicator means and its relationship to leadership.

What is it that we are really talking about when we label someone as a ‘great communicator’?  If they spoke articulately, but the people they are talking to are not moved in some way - have they gotten the job done?  If they spoke articulately, but they didn’t listen – would we…

An authentic leader is someone who empowers rather than dominates, and they also know that at times their job requires the right amount of demand on others for them to be effective. 

The difference is that the demand isn’t coming from a narrow self-interest – like the leader’s concern for how they look to the Board or the Shareholders, it stems from a desire to truly empower others.  It’s authentically coming from their concern for the team winning, and the individuals in that team…

I recently attended a conference on leadership and heard Rob Murray, CEO of Lion, speak about their cultural journey.  What I found inspiring about Rob’s presentation was both what he talked about and who he was being - authentic, committed, inspired by creating a high performing culture and clear about the difference it makes to business outcomes.

As Rob shared about the work they have done, and continue to do, with the development of leadership in their business it was very clear…