The Leadership Skill Too Many Leaders Overlook
- Sharon Gill
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
Recently, I asked my LinkedIn community a simple question:
What is the biggest challenge you are facing in your leadership role right now?
The results were revealing.
58% identified clarity in communication as their greatest challenge.
An additional 19% selected difficult conversations.
Combined, more than three-quarters of respondents pointed to communication as one of their primary leadership struggles.
That tells us something important.
Many organizations don't have a strategy problem. They have a communication problem.
The Hidden Cost of Unclear Communication
When leaders think about communication, they often think about presentations, meetings, and emails.
But leadership communication goes much deeper. Communication is how expectations are established. It is how accountability is reinforced. It is how trust is built.
It is how culture is shaped.
When communication lacks clarity, organizations begin to drift.
People fill in the gaps with assumptions. Priorities become unclear. Frustration grows.
And leaders find themselves repeating the same messages over and over again.
What I See in Coaching Conversations
Over the years, I have coached leaders across multiple industries and noticed a consistent pattern.
Most communication challenges are not caused by a lack of words. They are caused by a lack of clarity. Leaders often believe they have communicated because they spoke.
But communication is only complete when understanding occurs.
I frequently hear leaders say:
"I thought I was clear."
Meanwhile, their team members are saying:
"I wasn't sure what was expected."
The gap between those two statements is where many leadership problems begin.
Why Difficult Conversations Matter
The poll revealed another important insight.
Nearly one in five leaders identified difficult conversations as a primary challenge.This is not surprising. Many leaders avoid difficult conversations because they want to preserve relationships. Ironically, avoidance often damages relationships more than the conversation itself.
Delayed feedback creates confusion. Unspoken concerns create tension. Silence creates stories. Strong leaders understand that clarity is an act of respect. People deserve to know where they stand.
The Communication Question Every Leader Should Ask
Before ending a conversation, meeting, or delegation discussion, ask:
"What are you taking away from this conversation?"
That simple question often reveals misunderstandings before they become problems.
It shifts communication from speaking to confirming understanding. And it may be one of the most effective leadership habits a person can develop.
As Patrick Lencioni has often taught, healthy organizations are built on trust and productive conflict. Both require communication. Not perfect communication. Clear communication.
Leaders who communicate clearly create alignment. Leaders who avoid communication create confusion.Leadership Reflection
Consider:
Where might your communication be creating assumptions?
What conversation have you delayed longer than necessary?
How often do you verify understanding rather than assume it?
Sometimes the greatest leadership breakthrough is not a new strategy. It is a clearer conversation.
Let's Continue the Conversation
Communication may be one of the most overlooked leadership skills in business today.
Yet based on the feedback from leaders themselves, it may also be one of the most important.
I work with CEOs, leadership teams, and emerging leaders to strengthen communication, improve accountability, and build cultures where people understand what is expected and are empowered to perform.
You're welcome to schedule a complimentary leadership conversation or send an email to contact@sharongill.com
What communication challenge do you see most often in leaders today?
— Sharon Gill
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