Why Leaders Need to Rethink Their Communication Skills
Here's a statistic that should stop every leader in their tracks: more than 90% of employees say their leaders lack communication skills. That number is staggering — and it's the reason I created an eight-part series dedicated to helping leaders become more effective communicators. In this introductory post, I want to explain why this topic matters so much and what you can expect from the series ahead.
The Communication Gap in Leadership
When we think about leaders, we tend to assume they're among the best communicators in any organisation. After all, isn't communication a core part of the job? Yet the data tells a very different story. More than nine out of ten employees feel their leaders fall short when it comes to communicating effectively.
That gap is more than just an inconvenience — it's genuinely problematic. Poor communication from leadership leads to disengaged teams, misaligned goals, eroded trust, and missed opportunities. If leaders can't convey their vision clearly and connect with the people they manage, everything else suffers.
What Qualifies Me to Tackle This Topic
You might be wondering what gives me the authority to offer communication advice to leaders. Fair question. My perspective draws from three distinct areas of experience:
- Six years in Toastmasters: As a long-standing member of my local Toastmasters club, I've spent years studying and practising the art of public speaking — learning how to capture an audience's attention, structure a message, and deliver it with impact.
- Corporate leadership exposure: Working at RE/MAX of Western Canada, the regional head office for all RE/MAX associates in western Canada, I've had the privilege of observing great leaders up close. I've seen firsthand which communication habits make a leader effective and which ones fall flat.
- Conversations with industry leaders: Through launching and hosting the RE/MAX Hustle Podcast, I've interviewed industry leaders who are widely recognised for their communication skills. Many of the tips and insights they shared with me will make their way into this series.
What to Expect from This Series
Over the course of eight instalments, this series will cover a range of practical communication strategies designed specifically for leaders. Some posts will focus on public speaking techniques — how to hold attention, structure your message, and speak with confidence. Others will dig into the interpersonal side of leadership communication — the everyday habits that build trust, clarity, and connection with your team.
Every tip I share will be grounded in real-world experience, whether it came from my own journey in Toastmasters, lessons learned in a corporate environment, or wisdom passed along by exceptional leaders I've had the chance to interview.
Conclusion
If more than 90% of employees feel their leaders aren't communicating well, there's an enormous opportunity for any leader willing to invest in this skill. Effective communication isn't a natural gift reserved for the few — it's a craft that can be learned, practised, and refined. This series is designed to help you do exactly that. Stay tuned for the next instalment, where we'll dive into the first actionable tip you can start using right away to become a more impactful leader and communicator.