7 Things Your Team Needs to Hear You Say

Good leaders are good communicators.

You can have great ideas, solid belief in your team, and a strong set of values guiding everything…but if don’t communicate, you won’t be effective.

To help you out, here are seven phrases you can quote exactly to help you communicate vital messages to your team.

1. “You can do it.”

Leaders are the Chief Belief Officer (CBO). If you don’t believe it’s possible, how can your team possibly do their best to get there? Your belief becomes their belief.

2. “Try it!”

Create opportunities for people to test their ideas. If there is a condition that has to be met first, be clear about it, but give people ways to innovate and own results. You probably have one or two innovators on your team, but if any idea they come up with takes 2 years and 5 layers of bureaucracy to make happen, you will soon lose them and their creativity.

3. “I believe…”

What are your values? What do you believe in? Your team needs to hear your heart and know what makes you tick. If you want their hearts, you’ve got to reveal your own.

4. “Nice!”

However you say it…recognize contributions. Congratulate, encourage, acknowledge work well done…and not just when it’s over. Take a moment to honor the effort someone is putting into something while they’re doing it. Be specific. How is what they’re doing making a difference?

5. “How can I help?”

You’re often in a unique position to clear roadblocks or provide resources for your motivated team, but you won’t know if you don’t ask.

6. “I’m sorry.”

We all screw up. Own it. No excuses, no long explanations. Just apologize.

7. “That will not happen here.”

Your team needs you to stand up for them. That means having tough conversations with difficult people. Do not tolerate bullies. Have the necessary conversations with those who are not doing their part. Your team will respect you and be more productive knowing they have a safe environment and everyone is accountable.

You Might Like:

• Do You Have the Most Important C-Suite Role: A CBO?
• A Leader’s Two Most Life-Sucking Words
• Do You Really Want Things to Get Better?
• 10 Questions to Ask When No One Will Listen
• Abraham Lincoln’s Guide to Getting Things Done (video)

Take care,

David M. Dye

(Photo by Thomas Hawk)

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David is President of Trailblaze, Inc and shares twenty years experience teaching, coaching, leading, and managing in youth service, education advocacy, city governance, and faith-based nonprofits. He enjoys partnering with people to change the world and helping others discover and realize their own potential.