Confidence vs. Arrogance – A Communication Lesson for Leaders

Communication is an essential component of successful leadership. The problem is that people have a hard time accurately and objectively evaluating their own communication effectiveness.

When leaders turn to us, it’s because they see a persistent gap between the capability and performance of their team. More often than not, they don’t realize their role in the problem. 

It’s easy to see how this happens. Leaders have risen to their position because they have successfully behaved and performed in ways they adapted from those who influenced them over the course of their careers. The tricky part is that things have changed, especially in the past 15 years. Millennials started paving a new path, and now Gen Z is having a unique influence on the workplace. The -no questions asked- leader/subordinate relationship is largely gone. Here are a few questions to ask yourself about your communication style.

Do You Read the Room?

A leader who takes the pulse of the organization and incorporates that into their delivery, approach, and decision making will see it in the faces of those they are leading. It is human nature to follow a confident leader. That won’t change, but confidence can involve listening, observing, and transparency.

Your message is only as valid as your approach. It flavors what’s being said and how it is perceived. A rallying message delivered arrogantly will lose whatever good was intended. Employees no longer see a strong leader as someone who barks orders and makes decisions in a vacuum. Communicating at a level that inspires is exponentially more effective than bulldozing, which can make people dig their heels in and tune out.

Is Your Self Image in Line with How You Are Perceived?

Communication problems are a sort of mistaken identity. The leader sees themselves as assertive and confident. Everyone else perceives it as arrogant and out of touch with the reality of the workplace. Being straightforward is a quality people appreciate. Cockiness is not. Direct is appreciated; not listening to the ideas of others creates tension and division. A well-matched executive coach can help refine communication effectiveness for leaders who may feel like they or their team are stagnating.

What are Your Communication Goals?

Fortunately, successful communication is a skill anyone who is motivated can master. While some people are born consensus builders, others must learn it. Just like any other part of a business that is successful for the duration, leaders need to evaluate their communication goals and align them with the company’s strategic goals. Remember how Kodak failed to evolve into digital photography? And how Netflix heard the cry for on-demand entertainment and scrapped their DVD business model. Leaders who listen to others is just sound business practice.

Liddell Consulting: Executive Coaching

Liddell Consulting Group works with high potential individuals and those who need to bridge performance gaps. Our coaching process is pragmatic, specific, and results-based. We are always available to talk about how executive coaching can help you build trust, communicate more effectively, and enhance your leadership skills and your organization’s performance. Contact us today!