Tips for Communication Skills for Facility Leaders

“Congrats, you’re a leader now – go lead! Oh, and we’ll just assume you know how to communicate effectively.” ‘tis a tale as old as time. I was that person too. The problem is that team leader communication is so critical to engagement, understanding strategy, and aligning your team behind purpose. So here’s 10 ways leaders can improve their communication right away. 1.      Ask your team what they want – find out what they want to know more about, their preferred methods of communication, how often they want to meet, etc. And keep asking them – preferences will change over time. 2.      Get feedback, constantly – don’t wait for an engagement survey. Ask what’s working, what’s not, and what ideas people have to improve comms in your team. 3.      Say more, with less – don’t get caught in the trap of long-winded emails and team calls. People are time-poor and busy. Keep it short. And don’t assume that ‘poor communication’ is solved with more communication! 4.      Record and review – facilitating online meetings? Record them, and watch them back, and self-reflect. 5.      Co-create content – you don’t have to come up with it all yourself. Get your team involved, share the weekly newsletter around or get them all to contribute to a teams chat. It creates a sense of ownership. 6.      Set a rhythm – people like things that are predictable. So after you’ve found out what people want, set a rhythm with your comms and stick to it. 7.      Find out the answers – it’s okay to say you don’t know something, and commit to finding out and reporting back. As a leader, especially during change, it’s your job to find out why things are happening, and what that means for your team. 8.      Be authentic – people can see through the ‘leader mask’ we sometimes put on. Authenticity builds trust. So use the words you’d normally use, and talk to others like human beings. 9.      Get equitable – this is getting harder in hybrid worlds, but equitable access to communication is key for your team members, especially during change. Make sure everyone has an opportunity to hear directly from you, and to talk to you 1:1. 10.  Listen to understand, not to respond – sometimes we jump into solution mode when our team members come to us with worries. Let them talk, and ask curious questions to understand the real problem, and what they need from you. Sometimes, they just need to be heard, they don’t need you to do anything. What would you add to the list?

When I first started leading teams, I thought being a good communicator meant being a good talker. But I quickly learned that listening is more important than speaking. 👂 Active Listening Active listening is about giving the speaker your undivided attention, maintaining eye contact, and asking clarifying questions. It's about understanding your team members' concerns, ideas, and perspectives. By doing so, you build trust, avoid misunderstandings, and create a safe space for open communication. ✍️ Clear and Concise Language As a leader, you'll be communicating with team members who have different backgrounds, experiences, and communication styles. That's why clear and concise language is essential. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that might confuse others. Instead, use simple language and provide specific examples to illustrate your point. This helps ensure your message is understood and acted upon. 💬 Regular Feedback Providing regular feedback is an important part of effective communication. It's about sharing your thoughts and observations with team members in a way that's helpful and constructive. This helps your team members grow and improve, and it also shows you're invested in their success. 👀 Transparency As a leader, you set the tone for your team's culture. Transparency is about sharing information openly, explaining decisions and rationales, and being approachable. By being transparent, you build trust and credibility with your team, and you create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. ❤️ Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is also important for effective communication. It's about recognizing and managing your own emotions to effectively manage others. Practice self-awareness, empathy, and social skills to build strong relationships with your team. 🤓 Asking Open-Ended Questions I've also found that asking open-ended questions can be a powerful way to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Use questions that begin with what, how, or why to stimulate discussion and exploration. 🚶 Being Approachable and Available Finally, being approachable and available is important. Make time for your team members, be responsive to messages and emails, and be willing to help. By doing so, you create a safe and supportive environment where people feel comfortable coming to you with questions, concerns, or ideas. Effective communication is a skill that takes practice, patience, and persistence. It's okay to make mistakes because you'll always be learning and growing. By following these strategies, you'll be well on your way to becoming a effective communicator and a successful leader. What's a question that's challenged your thinking and made you think differently? --- 🔔 Ready to think differently about your technology career? Follow me for hard-won insights and expert advice. I've spent years learning the hard way so you don't have to.

Leading a team of 500+ taught me a lot about communication — especially in times of crisis. Here are five key lessons I’ve learned: 1. Communicate Early: Carry people along as things evolve. People should hear from you early in the game, before all hell breaks loose. Send that email, call that meeting, announce the changes, transitions, new strategies, or new directions as soon as you can. Trust is built when your team hears from you first, not through the grapevine. It’s not just about saying it — it’s about saying it as soon as you can. 2. Communicate Openly: Your team should feel free to remark, respond, or react to what you share without fear of punishment or being marked. This creates a psychologically safe environment where people don’t have to walk on eggshells around you. It’s an organization, not a dictatorship — people’s voices should never be stifled or silenced, covertly or overtly. 3. Communicate Completely: Don’t leave loose ends or unspoken assumptions. Address direct and indirect questions as much as possible at the time. If something can’t be discussed, say so. Don’t gloss over key details or shy away from touchy topics. Complete communication bonds a team and unites everyone around the leader — especially when they hear it directly from you. As much as you can, leave no stone unturned. 4. Communicate Clearly: There should be no ambiguity. Some team members shouldn’t hear one thing and others another. This is where Q&A sessions and checking for understanding become crucial. Think through what you want to say and ensure it’s plain, simple, and leaves no room for wrong assumptions or misconceptions. A strong leader speaks clearly, so nobody misunderstands, and everyone is on the same page. 5. Communicate Consistently— Communication is the cornerstone of successful organizations. The more your team hears from you, the stronger and more connected they become. Reach out regularly and create accessible platforms for open dialogue, ensuring your team feels informed and heard. Communicating effectively is non-negotiable, and leaders who master it go far. What would you add to the list? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Have a superlative week! #LeadershipLessons #CommunicationMatters #CrisisLeadership #TeamManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #EffectiveCommunication #LeadingTeams #WorkplaceCulture #TransparentLeadership #CrisisCommunication #LeadershipTips #Teamwork #GrowthMindset #LeadershipSkills #InspirationForLeaders

You say, "I want to be a better communicator." Then I ask, "Are you measuring?" I have seen many leaders struggle with communication to the point where it feels like it is simply how they were built. If you believe you can improve your skills, here is my straightforward leadership communication assessment framework: 1. Walk Your Talk Reflect on how well your actions align with your words. Mixed messages break trust, plain and simple. 2. Foster Dialogue Consider how well you encourage healthy debate. When conversations become echo chambers, innovation suffers. Don't let that happen. 3. Live Your Values Examine how consistently you embody your organization's values. Saying one thing and doing another quickly loses respect. 4. Stay Authentic Evaluate your willingness to respectfully disagree. While always saying yes might feel safe, it stifles fresh ideas. 5. Keep Perspective Look at your ability to balance a clear vision with daily operations. Some get lost in the details, but leaders must maintain focus. 6. Handle Conflict Assess how directly you address issues. Avoid gossip and indirect talk; go straight to the source. 7. Own Your Actions Review how consistently you take responsibility. No excuses and no blame games—own your actions. 8. Speak Truth Consider your courage to voice unpopular opinions. Remember, the majority is not always right. Leadership sometimes means standing alone. 9. Be the Rock Think about your consistency as a trusted advisor. Great leaders listen, support, and guide. Always be that steady presence. Rate each item on a scale from 1 to 5, then add up your total score: 36–45: Elite communicator 27–35: Strong foundation 18–26: Room for growth 9–17: Time to level up The truth is this: your effectiveness in communication directly affects your leadership success. Be honest with yourself. Where do you need to improve? Contact us if you want a partner in your journey to improve your communication. We have some unique tools that may help you achieve your goals. — P.S. Unlock 20 years' worth of leadership lessons sent straight to your inbox. Every Wednesday, I share exclusive insights and actionable tips in my newsletter. (Link in my bio to sign up.) Remember, leaders succeed together.

I’ve worked in a lot of healthcare and healthcare-adjacent spaces, and there’s a quiet frustration I keep bumping into: When things get difficult, mental health professionals often have much stronger conversational skills than the people leading them. This isn’t a dig, it’s just a truth we rarely say out loud. We've spent so much time practicing presence, curiosity, and care with others. But as employees, we’re often met with conversations that feel rushed, defensive, or skipping straight to solutions. Some things I really wish leaders would practice doing more in conversation: → Slow down. Even 15 extra seconds of pause can change the tone entirely. → Reflect back what you’re hearing, not just what you assume is happening. “What I’m hearing you say is…” “Am I getting that right?” → Stay curious instead of defensive. “What I’m curious about is…” “I’m wondering if…” “What do you think about…” → Offer simple human empathy. “Ohh, I’m so sorry you’re going through that. It sounds really hard.” → Admit when you don’t know. There’s huge power in saying, “I appreciate you sharing this with me and I'd like to think about it a bit more. Would it be okay if I got back to you at [X time]?” → Hold space for multiple truths. “Yes, and…” - for when multiple things are true and the tension doesn’t need to be solved right away. → Resist the urge to "fix it" immediately or ask the person in distress to have a solution ready. Solutions usually show up naturally when there’s enough safety, curiosity and attunement in the room. Mental health pros, does this resonate? What would you add? 👇 #ClinicianMentalHealth

Most leaders struggle to say what they really mean. Here’s what the best say 👇 I’ve helped over 300 CEOs become world-class communicators. Not just on stage, but in everyday conversations that shape culture and performance. Here’s what it looks like in practice: 1/ Give Clear Direction ↳ Don’t say: “We should work on this soon.” ↳ Say: “Here’s the next step: [task].” ↳ Say: “The current priority is [goal]. Let’s focus there.” 2/ Provide Constructive Feedback ↳ Don’t say: “This could be better.” ↳ Say: “Thanks for your work on [task]. One way to improve it is [suggestion].” ↳ Say: “Good start. Let’s refine it by [specific change].” 3/ Set Boundaries with Confidence ↳ Don’t say: “I’ll try to squeeze it in.” ↳ Say: “I can’t commit to that right now, but here’s what I can offer.” ↳ Say: “Let’s stay focused on [topic] to make the most of our time.” 4/ Handle Difficult Conversations ↳ Don’t say: “Let’s talk later.” ↳ Say: “There’s something important we need to address. Is now a good time?” ↳ Say: “I understand your point. I can’t agree to that, but here’s what I can do.” 5/ Inspire and Motivate Others ↳ Don’t say: “Great job.” ↳ Say: “Your work on [project] made a real impact. Thank you.” ↳ Say: “I believe in your ability to lead this. How can I support you?” 6/ Navigate Conflict with Diplomacy ↳ Don’t say: “That’s not what I meant.” ↳ Say: “Let me clarify what I meant.” ↳ Say: “Help me understand your perspective so we can find common ground.” ❓Which sentence do you use a lot when leading your team? —----------------------- Useful? ♻️Repost to help someone become a better leader.  And follow me Oliver Aust for daily insights on leadership communications.

You know your stuff. But can you say it well? As leaders, do you ever feel stuck? Despite your expertise, qualifications, and years of experience—you’re still not able to create the impact you hoped for. I was recently in conversation with the HR Manager of a leading manufacturing company, who shared a common challenge: Their managers are technically brilliant, yet they struggle to articulate their thoughts with clarity and confidence. This is not about knowledge. It’s about communication. 👉 Knowing what to say is one thing. 👉 Saying it well is what creates impact. Many leaders falter here—unable to present ideas in a concise, precise, and compelling manner. What can help? Here are a few simple yet powerful practices: ✔️ Think before you speak—structure your thoughts in your mind first. ✔️ Replace jargon with simple, relatable language. ✔️ Use short, sharp sentences for stronger impact. ✔️ Focus on your key message—don’t overload with information. ✔️ Practise—articulation improves with deliberate effort and feedback. Leadership is not just about having the answers. It’s about communicating them with influence. 💬 How are you building your communication muscle as a leader? If you’re looking to strengthen communication within your leadership teams, I’d love to have a conversation. Let’s connect and explore how we can make that happen. #LeadershipDevelopment #CommunicationSkills #LeadWithImpact