The First Rule of Good Communication: Know Thyself

You can’t fake it until you make it.

Leadership advice is everywhere. Between books, videos, podcasts, and the internet, there’s enough content on “being a better leader” to blanket the solar system. My LinkedIn feed is a flood of inspirational quotes, “Top 10” lists, and earnest faces way too close to the camera offering wisdom about leadership. It all sounds noble, but here’s the issue: most of the advice lacks the hard part—the how.

• “Be a great communicator.”

• “Foster a collaborative environment.”

• “Be empathetic.”

• “Continuously seek feedback.”

No one will argue with these—they’re self-evident truths. But how do you actually achieve them?

Today I’m taking a look at the “how” behind the one: “Be a great communicator.”

It’s one of those things that is (maybe ironically) easier said than done. Sure, some aspects of communication can be learned, but much of your effectiveness in communicati…