Communicate as a human first, leader second - and watch the positive ripples spread

After I’d finished my keynote presentation and spent some quality time networking, she followed me to my car.

I heard my name and turned to see her, tears spilling onto her cheeks.

“You said exactly what I needed to hear today,” she told me.

She explained the tough time she’d been experiencing and how it had caused her confidence to evaporate.

She’d come from a high-powered career and had been wavering about taking the next courageous step towards a new goal.

“I’m going straight home to submit the application,” she said. “Thank you!”

She was the one who deserved my thanks – for reminding me that we never know the true impact we’re having.

In my keynote I’d shared powerful stories about credibility and confidence, but it was still amazing to realise that for some in the audience, the experience was transformational.

As a leader in tough times, you have opportunities every day to start conversations that can profoundly impact your teams.

With mental health issues soaring in workplaces, it can feel uncomfortable to talk to employees about how they’re feeling – but take those steps anyway.

In my new report - “Rebuilding trust in leadership in today’s changed world” – I share insights from psychologist Carlie Belancic who encourages leaders to speak openly with their teams about their experiences of the last few years.

Access the report here: https://academy.neryleast.com/report

“Sometimes as leaders we think we have to maintain a certain fa?ade. We connect with people by sharing stories. We’ve all been through so much and it’s affected us all in different ways,” Carlie says.

“Sharing stories and being vulnerable is a way to deepen connection. It invites their vulnerability rather than just having a shallow conversation, where blame and excuses come.”

Even if it feels extremely awkward, be brave and have the conversation anyway.

“It’s a kind way of leading, especially when you have to maintain your expectations around performance,” says Carlie. “You can do those things together.”

Being prepared to take the lead in these conversations can have a significant positive effect, not just on the individual employee but on the broader team, with a potential ripple effect across your business.

It’s also important to have information available if a team member needs further support.

“Saying something like, ‘did you know you can go to your GP?’ – even that, can be really helpful to someone who’s feeling overwhelmed,” says Carlie.

Don’t feel you have to be an amateur psychologist or counsellor. Just communicate human to human.

Like me, you might be blown away by the transformation that happens.

Dr Neryl East shows senior leaders how to communicate well in challenging times. Access her report, “Rebuilding trust in leadership in today’s changed world” here: https://academy.neryleast.com/report