You can have a powerful message as a leader. But without strong communication skills, it won’t get through to your employees. Your good intentions might even leave a bad taste in their mouths. That’s why it’s so important to practice these two core types of communication.
The first is intrapersonal communication, the internalized communication within yourself. Intrapersonal communication is your first line of defense against saying something you’ll regret. By being mindful of the stories you tell yourself, you’ll be less likely to misinterpret situations. And instead of reacting in the moment, you’ll think through issues before talking with your team.
The second type is interpersonal communication. This is communication between two or more people. It can be verbal, written, or through body language—often, it’s a combination of the three. If these communication styles aren’t aligned, your message can become lost. For example, imagine that you’re saying something genuine to your team. If you’re grinding your teeth while you say it, they might interpret your words as sarcasm. For this reason, all your communication needs to be on the same page.
Practice the two communication types together, and your messaging becomes more effective.