The Leadership Skill That Accelerates Career Growth
- May 6
- 2 min read
By Lorilyn B. Alden
As the founder of the CHAT Communication System®, a framework designed to help leaders understand and adapt to different communication styles, I often see leadership taught as a set of external skills such as decision-making and executive presence. Yet in my work with organizations and leadership teams, I have found that the skill that most accelerates career growth is far simpler and more personal: self-awareness in communication.
Leaders rarely fail because they lack intelligence or ideas. They struggle because they don’t understand how to express their ideas and plans effectively to the different communication styles of the people around them.
There are four basic communication styles. We all have these communication styles within us, but our preferences, personality, education, and personal history determine which ones we rely on most. Leaders are expected to communicate effectively to achieve the organization’s vision and mission. However, if they communicate only in their preferred style, they may miss opportunities to fully engage the entire team.
When leaders understand these differences, communication becomes more intentional and effective. Instead of assuming everyone processes information the same way, they begin to recognize that some team members are motivated by inspiration and big-picture thinking, while others need structure, clarity, or time to process ideas before responding. Awareness of these differences helps leaders communicate in ways that reduce confusion, prevent unnecessary conflict, and create an environment where team members feel more confident contributing their ideas.
For example, we may have a leader who is full of passion and energy when communicating. They inspire the team and share the vision in a way that excites everyone in the room. But shortly after that inspirational message, some team members rush out, excited about the idea, and try to make things happen immediately. Others need clear instructions and defined next steps, leaving them stuck in hesitation or procrastination.
Still others may not fully understand the expectations but don’t want to seem incompetent or disruptive by asking questions, leaving many feeling confused or frustrated. Over time, this can slow productivity and negatively impact morale.
Strategic thinking isn’t only about analyzing data or creating a plan. It is about communicating in a way that helps the people responsible for implementing the strategy clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. With greater awareness of communication dynamics within their teams, leaders strengthen their strategic thinking by anticipating how ideas will be interpreted, implemented, and executed.
When leaders communicate effectively across different communication styles, they can increase productivity, ownership, and buy-in while reducing conflict and building stronger teams working toward a clearly shared vision.
By using active listening to hear their team members, asking clarifying questions, and learning to speak to multiple communication styles, leaders can adapt and pivot more easily depending on who they are communicating with. This allows leaders to communicate more efficiently and spend less time resolving misunderstandings and conflicts.
The leaders who rise fastest are not always the loudest or most confident. They are the ones who understand themselves and others and communicate in ways that help people feel heard, respected, seen, and valued.
When leaders develop this level of communication awareness, strategy becomes easier, teams become stronger, and influence grows naturally.
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