Easy to follow advice for leaders to use in any situaton when helping others succeed is your intent and focus.

1. There are more ways than ever to be heard and listen to people who have something to
say. With all the avenues to share your thoughts it is more important than ever to use
language that will encourage your audience to stay for the entire message. On the job
we often do not have a choice about whether we will stay until the end, but we do have
full control of how much attention we will dedicate to the speaker.
One of the interesting temporary changes COVID brought to sports was the complete
removal of fans from games which allowed TV audiences to hear so much more of the
constant communication that happens on the field. The conversations happening
during games are an extension of the lessons taught during film study and practice
sessions. Leadership is passed from the coaches to players and the players
communicate how the plans are working back to the coaches so the team can
increase their chances to win.
It is said that another meaning for NFL is not for long. Each team is unique and the
campaign that makes us a sports season is hopefully shorter than your career where
you work. How coaches communicate to their teams in the months that make up a
season have a lot to do with winning and losing. The same is true in business and the
campaigns are often much longer which I believe makes the ongoing communication
even more critical to leading successful teams.
I believe effective communication is as much about getting to the point as it is about
how you get there. There are certain tactics that I believe anyone can use to be a more
engaging speaker and leader with an increased ability to develop willing followers of
your messages. The one page summary below is the second installment of a three part
series. Leadership Fundamentals - Part 2: Communicate Like a Leader is a tool that
provides a quick reference to a principle, strategy and six tactics to improve your
leadership communication skills.

2. Communicate like a Leader
Take ownership of your situation and making the decision to lead at every level.
Taking ownership includes developing and communicating a plan capable of solving the underlying problem.
Listen and ask questions more than you talk and give directions.
Embrace the power of generous listening and empathetic straight talk.
Leadership Fundamentals
Part 2
Principle
Strategy
Tactics (6)
1. Always talk positively to yourself
The most important part of your
communication is what you say to yourself.
Prepare with pragmatism and diligence so
that you can tell yourself all the reasons
you will succeed, instead of reasons you
will fail. Think carefully about the questions
you ask yourself and the answers you give
yourself.
2. Answer the WIFM question
What’s in it for me is a reasonable question
for anyone following you to ask early and
often, so answer it. Build a coalition of
influencers within your team by individually
ensuring the key players know what
success will look like so your voice is
amplified, and resonates when you are not
around to speak for yourself.
3. Always include “The Why”
There is a limit to how far people will follow
bullet points and actions plans. Your “Why”
is the reason accomplishing the goal
matters beyond the bullet points. Take the
time to figure out what success looks like
before you communicate to your team.
“What” is easy, “How” is a little harder,
“Why” is what matters.
4. Communicate with certainty
Words have tremendous power so use
powerful words. I can, I think, and do you
think you can; are not as effective when
communicating as I will, I believe and when
will you. The words you use illustrate who
you are, and who you are is the reason
people will or will not willingly follow you.
5. Questions > Explanations
Using the phrase, “Let me tell you one
more thing” is a great way to ensure
no one is still listening to you. After you
communicate your why, the goal, and your
plan, it is time to engage your team with
questions that allow them to clarify what
they heard and how they will commit.
This process often occurs repeatedly
throughout projects.
6. Talk about the team when
problems arise
Taking ownership means that any negative
action or shortcoming within your team is
your opportunity to take full responsibility
and provide a solution. The solution is for
you to clarify with your team why taking
one action or another is critical to the
team’s success. Decision making is not
about you or the individual, it is always
about the team.
Personal
Influence
Team
Influence
Locker Room to Board Room
Marcus Wilkins
mwilkins@marcuswilkins.biz
MW
Leadership Fundamentals Part 2
Leadership Communication is the story
you continually tell about yourself that
others will use to decide who you are,
what you believe and if they should
willingly follow you.
• Leaders communicate a clear
plan, not necessarily a perfect plan
• Leaders give meaningful
recognition to their team to build
and earn trust
• Leaders initiate clean-ups
because great apologies are a
superpower
What does effective leadership
communication accomplish?
• Confidence to trust that making
mistakes means an opportunity to
learn
• The ability for teams to quickly
and effectively change plans and
tactics
• Willing and enthusiastic followers
focused on teamwork, not
manipulation
• Significantly more buy in towards
the mission because what success
looks like is clear
How do leaders know their
communication is effective?
• Teammates are not trying to do
someone else’s job or responsibility
• Questions and feedback are
regularly brought to the leadership
team
• What the team is trying to
accomplish is easy to explain to
others
Great books that support these ideas:
• Leadership Charisma by Bud Haney&Jim Sirbasku w/Deiric McCann
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Communication tips for new leaders:
• Be yourself
• If you do not know what to say, ask a question and listen for the answer
• Be patient, it can take time to find your leadership voice
• Less is more, don’t repeat yourself, ask people to replicate your comments
• People remember stories better than bullet points