What Is Real Communication?
In a world dominated by automated emails, pre-set funnels, and templated responses, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that communication is simply sending messages. But it is far more than just words sent into the ether. At its core, real communication in leadership is an intentional exchange—a back-and-forth dialogue aimed at understanding, learning, and acting. As an experienced leadership coach, I’ve seen how easy it is for people to mistake broadcasts for conversations, especially when juggling leadership responsibilities.
The problem is, when leaders only rely on automation or dump information without meaningful engagement, they miss the opportunity to build trust, strengthen relationships, and foster true collaboration. In this post, we’ll explore why real communication matters, how the ABC Growth System can help enhance your efforts, and practical tools to support your growth in this area.
What Happens When Communication Misses the Mark?
When communication is reduced to automated messages, missed cues, or one-way information dumps, several issues arise:
- Misunderstandings: When communication isn’t clear or interactive, messages can be misinterpreted.
- Lost trust: People feel unheard, undervalued, and disconnected if they don’t perceive genuine communication.
- Reduced engagement: One-way interactions discourage meaningful participation.
- Missed opportunities: Without dialogue, leaders lose the chance to learn from their team, customers, or peers.
The ABC Growth System—Apps, Books, and Coaching—can serve as a roadmap for building stronger, more authentic communication practices. Let’s dive deeper into how you can apply it to foster real communication.
Apps: Tools to Facilitate Dialogue and Engagement
While apps won’t replace real communication, they can support and enhance your efforts to stay connected and engaged with your team and clients. The key is to use these tools intentionally—not just to send messages but to create spaces for dialogue.
- Slack – A great platform for real-time communication with teams. Use dedicated channels to encourage discussion and transparency.
- Trello – Not only a project management tool but also a way to facilitate ongoing conversations through comments and collaborative boards.
- Buffer – Helps you plan and schedule posts with thoughtful interactions in mind. Pair automated posts with manual engagement—reply to comments and join the conversations that arise from your content.
- Zoom – Use video calls to foster face-to-face interactions, even remotely. Schedule one-on-one sessions to engage personally and understand deeper concerns.
Practical Step:
Use an app like slack to open dedicated Q&A channels or a weekly “office hours” slot on Zoom where your team or clients can drop in and have real-time discussions.
Books: Learning to Improve Communication Skills
Books provide timeless wisdom and actionable insights to improve communication. Here are some recommendations that can help you build better practices and habits:
- Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson – Learn how to navigate difficult conversations with confidence.
- The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier – Understand the importance of listening and asking powerful questions.
- Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg – Gain insight into expressing yourself honestly and empathetically.
- Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott – Discover how to be direct while still caring deeply for others.
Practical Step: Pick one book from this list and commit to reading a chapter each week. Implement one takeaway in your conversations at work, and track how it changes your interactions.
Coaching: Personalized Feedback for Better Communication
One of the biggest challenges in improving communication is that most people aren’t aware of their blind spots. Coaching provides real-time feedback, helping you uncover those areas where you may fall short.
Here’s how coaching through the ABC Growth System can support better communication:
- Self-Awareness: Coaches help you recognize patterns and tendencies in your communication that might be holding you back.
- Accountability: You set communication goals, and your coach holds you accountable for practicing and refining your approach.
- Role-playing exercises: Work with your coach to practice difficult conversations in a safe environment.
At toddmckeever.com, our ABC Leadership Solutions coaching program is designed to provide personalized guidance and actionable insights that help leaders communicate more effectively.
Practical Step: Schedule a discovery call with one of our coaches to explore how you can improve your communication style and foster stronger relationships within your team.
Common Communication Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Many leaders fall into communication traps without realizing it. Below are some common mistakes and practical ways to avoid them:
1. Over-reliance on Automation
- The Issue: Relying too much on automated emails or scheduled content can create a gap in real-time connection.
- Solution: Set aside time each week to engage directly with your audience through comments, emails, or meetings.
2. Information Overload
- The Issue: Dumping too much information at once overwhelms people and reduces the chance of meaningful understanding.
- Solution: Break information into smaller, actionable pieces and encourage feedback.
3. Failure to Listen Actively
- The Issue: Many leaders focus more on speaking than listening, leading to missed opportunities for deeper understanding.
- Solution: Practice active listening by summarizing what the other person has said before responding.
Practical Tips for Cultivating Real Communication
Here are some actionable steps you can take to improve your communication today:
1. Set Communication Goals
- Create a plan to engage with your team or clients weekly. For example, aim for 3 meaningful conversations each week.
2. Use the 70/30 Rule
- Listen 70% of the time and speak 30% of the time in conversations. This encourages more open dialogue and deeper insights.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions
- Instead of asking yes/no questions, ask “What do you think?” or “How would you handle this?” to foster more meaningful discussions.
4. Follow Up
- Real communication doesn’t end when the conversation does. Following up shows that you value the interaction and care about the outcome.
Recommended Resources for Further Growth
In addition to apps, books, and coaching, here are other resources to enhance your communication skills:
- Podcasts:
- The Coaching Habit Podcast – Insights on leadership and coaching.
- The Art of Charm – Tips on communication and relationship-building.
- Blogs and Articles:
- Harvard Business Review – Articles on leadership communication.
- ToddMcKeever.com – Insights and practical advice on leadership, including communication best practices.
Call to Action: Let’s Improve Your Communication Together
Real communication is the foundation of effective leadership. It’s not just about sending messages but creating a space for dialogue, understanding, and growth. With the help of the ABC Growth System, you can enhance your communication, strengthen your relationships, and lead with greater impact.
Ready to take the next step?
- Join our ABC Leadership Coaching program: Learn how to apply the principles of real communication in your daily leadership.
- Sign up for a free discovery call: Let’s explore how coaching can help you unlock your potential.
- Download our ABC Growth System workbook: Get practical tools and strategies for improving communication and leadership.
Conclusion: Communication as a Lifelong Skill
Real communication isn’t a one-and-done effort—it’s a lifelong practice. As a leader, your ability to communicate effectively will directly impact your success and the success of those you lead. By using apps to facilitate dialogue, reading books to deepen your understanding, and engaging in coaching for personalized feedback, you can build a communication style that empowers and inspires.
Invest in your growth today by embracing real communication. Explore our coaching services at toddmckeever.com and let’s start a conversation that will change your leadership journey.
This post emphasizes the importance of real communication, highlighting the power of the ABC Growth System. Use these tips and tools to elevate your leadership through meaningful, intentional dialogue—because great leaders don’t just talk, they listen, understand, and act.