Here’s something I preach to my coaching clients all the time: leadership is a journey. 

If you’re in a new leadership position, you might be feeling some imposter syndrome. You might be questioning whether you have what it takes, or you might be feeling unsure about what to prioritize. Keep in mind that your skills have gotten you this far. Trust yourself and accept that there’s always room for improvement—even for the best leaders. Cultivate a growth mindset and focus on what you can achieve. 

In this blog, we’ll explore some common areas that you might give extra attention as you embark on your leadership journey. These are broad, so pick and choose what applies to you. Maybe you’re a great strategic thinker, but you could beef up your communication skills. Maybe you’re naturally personable and connect easily with others, but find yourself running out of time in the days or weeks. 

In my humble opinion, the Chief of Staff position is one of the most exciting in business. The years I spent as Chief of Staff were some of the most rewarding in my own professional experiences. I learned so much working alongside our company’s Chief Executive Officer and the rest of the leadership team.

As a leader, you want to get things done. (Duh!) Maybe you’re looking to grow your company, make changes to its culture, or push boundaries with a new product. Whatever your goal, communicating well is one of the most important skills in your leadership toolkit. Without good communication, even the most talented teams will fall short.

So why exactly do leaders need effective communication skills? And what can you do to become a more effective communicator?