In leadership, communication isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you are received.
Your words, tone, and delivery shape your team’s perception of you, the clarity of your message, and their willingness to align with your vision. You may believe you are delivering a clear and inspiring message, but your behavior and communication style might unintentionally signal something entirely different.
For CEOs and senior executives leading diverse teams across multiple sites and functions, this challenge is particularly complex. You need to communicate effectively with individuals of different seniority levels while ensuring that your influence drives alignment, trust, and engagement. Communication style, tone and frequency is crucial—not only for you as a leader but for the success of your company.
The way you manage communication now can strengthen your business as an asset or put it at risk. It effects your presence and ability to perform. It drives or inhibits commercial performance.
If you want to maximize your impact, it’s not about broadcasting your message louder—it’s about tuning in to what your team needs.
The Communication Trap: Are You Sending the Right Signals?
Many executives fall into the trap of assuming that their communication style is effective simply because they are delivering messages frequently. However, the real question is: Are your messages being received and interpreted as intended?
Consider these common communication missteps:
Over-communication can feel like micromanagement. Bombarding your team with frequent emails and calls may seem like engagement, but it can be perceived as control rather than care. Consider your actions – think of each piece of communication as a “knock on someone’s office door”.
A lack of physical presence reduces credibility. Leading from a distance without being seen on-site can make employees feel disconnected from leadership. You need to be seen to be believed – physical presence does make a difference.
Meetings can silence the most valuable voices. If senior leaders dominate discussions, junior team members may hesitate to share insights. Encouraging their input first can create a more open dialogue.
Unclear communication norms lead to inefficiency. Do your employees know when to use email versus video calls? Establishing structured formats for different types of communication eliminates confusion.
Ignoring existing workplace rituals creates barriers. Are you adapting to how your teams naturally communicate, or are you forcing your preferred style on them? Understanding the teams preferred patterns will encourage collaborative communication which builds stronger connections
A Process Driven Coaching Approach for Executive Communication
A fundamental insight is that communication is not about what you to transmit. It is about what do your different audiences need to understand and feel well communicated with – it’s about what works for the team!
We help senior leaders like you refine your communication strategies in a way that resonates with diverse teams. Our structured approach ensures that you strengthen relationships, improve clarity, and drive results—all while maintaining your leadership presence and personal style.
Our Coaching Process Includes:
- Assessment of Current Perceptions – We gather insights from your direct reports to understand how they experience your communication today versus what they need in an ideal scenario.
- Identifying Strengths & Gaps – We assess how your current communication style impacts trust, clarity, and engagement across different levels of your team.
- Creating an Actionable Plan – Based on the findings, we help you refine your messaging, style, and delivery methods to align with your team’s needs while reinforcing your leadership identity.
- Implementing Behavior Adjustments – We provide guidance on adjusting frequency, formats, and delivery to optimize engagement and performance.
Through Coaching Shift from Transmission to Connection
The most successful leaders don’t just transmit messages—they connect with their teams. If you want your people to support your mission and execute your strategy effectively, you must prioritize what works for them, not just what works for you.
Brilliant communication follows these rules
Be visible to be believed. Spend time on-site where your teams work. Physical presence fosters credibility and trust.
Encourage balanced discussions. In meetings, invite junior team members to share first so their voices are heard.
Set clear communication norms. Define when to use email, video calls, and in-person meetings to streamline workflows.
Adapt to your team’s style. Recognize the workplace rituals and communication habits that already exist and integrate them into your approach.
Your Communication Skills: Protecting the Value of Your Business
Your company’s value is directly linked to how well your team aligns with your vision. Communication is not just a tool—it’s a leadership skill that defines your influence and impact.
At Herald Strategy, we help leaders refine their communication style without losing their authenticity. With our expert, independent guidance, you can minimize risks, strengthen engagement, and ensure that your leadership presence inspires confidence.
