Remember when company leaders would just send out memos and expect everyone to get on board? Those days are long gone. The smartest communicators today are doing something totally different — they're putting their ears before their mouths.
I learned this lesson the hard way early in my career. I'd craft what I thought were brilliant companywide emails, only to watch them land with a thud. People seemed confused, unmotivated, or worse — they'd just ignore them completely. It wasn't until I started asking questions first that everything changed.
Here's what the best leaders are doing differently: they're flipping the whole script. Instead of assuming they know what their team needs to hear, they're finding out what's on people's minds first. Here's what that looks like.
Start with real conversations. The most effective leaders I know don't just rely on formal surveys. They're having coffee chats, walking the halls, and creating safe spaces for honest feedback. They're asking questions like "What's keeping you up at night?" and "What would make your job easier?"
Listen for the emotions behind the words. It's not just about what people say — it's about how they feel. Are they excited? Worried? Confused? When you understand the emotional landscape, you can craft messages that connect.
Test your message before you blast it out. Smart communicators run their big announcements past a small group first. They're not looking for yes-men — they want honest reactions. Does the message make sense? Does it address real concerns? Is there anything that might cause confusion?
Make it a two-way street. The best company messages don't just talk at people — they invite conversation. They end with questions, create opportunities for feedback, and show that leadership is genuinely interested in what employees think.
Follow up and adjust. Great communicators don't just send a message and walk away. They check in to see how it landed, what questions came up, and what needs clarification. Then they adjust their approach for next time.
This shift from broadcasting to listening isn't just good for employee morale — it's good for business. When people feel heard and understood, they're more likely to buy into new initiatives, feel connected to the company's mission, and actually act on the information you're sharing.
The truth is, we've all been in meetings where leaders talk at us instead of with us. It feels pretty awful, doesn't it? But when someone takes the time to understand your perspective first, then shares information in a way that makes sense to you, that's when real communication happens.
So before you craft your next big message, try this: listen first, then speak. Your team will thank you for it, and your message will make the impact you're hoping for.