How to communicate like a great leader

In the era of knowledge, the bedrock of success across diverse fields lies in the realm of ideas. Possessing a brilliant concept is one thing, but the ability to effectively communicate and garner support for that vision is equally crucial. Communication, once considered a mere “soft skill,” has now evolved into a critical asset acknowledged by top business leaders worldwide. Successful leaders not only recognise but actively study and refine their communication skills in various forms such as writing, speaking, and presenting.

Take, for instance, Jeff Bezos, the visionary behind Amazon. In the midst of building his empire in 2004, he made a notable shift by discarding PowerPoint presentations in favour of “narratively structured memos” that featured titles and complete sentences. Bezos, among other influential leaders like former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, emphasises the paramount importance of honing communication skills—both written and oral. Nooyi asserts that the ability to simplify and compellingly convey a message is instrumental in gaining followership.

In my exploration of ‘The Bezos Blueprint,’ I uncovered several tactics employed by top leaders to effectively communicate with their teams. Here are four strategies to consider:

Utilise succinct language for complex topics.

• Long, convoluted sentences hinder the comprehension of written ideas, demanding excessive mental effort from the audience. Simplifying language by opting for shorter words and sentences not only enhances readability but also ensures that sophisticated arguments remain accessible. Tools like Grammarly gauge writing quality based on readability scores, emphasising the importance of crafting content suitable for a broad audience.

Jeff Bezos, through deliberate practice, improved his writing skills over time. Analysing his shareholder letters reveals a progression from a tenth-grade level in 1997 to eighth or ninth-grade levels in subsequent years. By employing straightforward language, Bezos effectively communicate complex concepts, demonstrating that simplicity does not equate to a reduction in substance but rather outsmarting the competition.

Employ memorable metaphors to reinforce key concepts.

• Metaphors, powerful tools that draw parallels between abstract ideas and familiar concepts, offer a means to engage and captivate audiences. Leaders like Warren Buffett utilise metaphors, such as “moats and castles,” to succinctly convey complex business concepts. Introducing innovative metaphors when presenting new or abstract ideas allows audiences to grasp and relate to the content more effectively.

Humanise data to enhance appeal.

• Transforming raw data into relatable narratives fosters engagement and comprehension. Neil deGrasse Tyson advocates embedding data concepts in familiar ground to facilitate understanding. By providing context and perspective to numerical information, such as comparing data to tangible objects, leaders can make data points more interesting and persuasive.

Elevate mission as a guiding principle.

• Aligning teams around a common purpose requires consistent emphasis on the organisational mission. Leaders must go beyond crafting mission statements that collect dust and instead make it a living mantra within the company. Earl Bakken, the founder of Medtronic, exemplified this by consistently reinforcing the company’s mission to “alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life.” Overcommunication of the mission across various channels ensures that it becomes ingrained in the organisational culture, fueling a collective commitment to a shared goal.

In conclusion, effective communication is a linchpin for success in today’s knowledge-driven landscape. Leaders who prioritise and master the art of communication significantly enhance their ability to inspire, influence, and guide their teams toward shared objectives.