How I Went from Michael Scott to Tony Stark: The Evolution of a Leader’s Communication Superpower

Alright, so stepping into leadership can feel like a whole vibe – you’re thrown into a world of managing teams, working with different people, and constantly balancing work-life chaos. But let’s be real, if you’ve been in charge of anything before, you know that communication is the secret sauce. It’s what makes or breaks you as a leader. And trust me, I wasn’t always great at it.

When I first stepped up to leadership, I was 100% Michael Scott in terms of communication – well-meaning but messy, often leaving people more confused than inspired. Fast forward to today, and I’d like to think I’m more Tony Stark – clear, confident, and always tweaking my approach to fit the situation. It’s been a journey, but I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I want to share that with anyone stepping into leadership for the first time (or anyone just trying to level up their leadership game).

1. The Struggle: Communication Chaos

• Example: So, you’re an engineer or a manager, and you’ve been killing it in your role. But now you’ve been promoted to lead, and suddenly you’re managing a squad of people with different personalities and needs. You’ve got your team, senior leadership, and other departments all pulling you in different directions, and the pressure is real.
• Problem: And guess what? Not everyone communicates the same way, and I quickly realized that not all communication is created equal. Just like how you talk to your friends is different from how you talk to your parents, the same goes for how you talk to your team, your boss, and everyone else.

If you’ve ever felt like you were talking in circles or didn’t know how to break things down, I get you. It’s one of the hardest parts of leadership, but honestly, it’s the part that makes you grow the most.

2. How I Fixed It: Empathy, Clarity, and Flexibility

• Example: When I first started, I didn’t get it. I thought if I just said everything with enough energy, it would land. Kind of like Michael Scott with his endless “That’s what she said” jokes – it was funny at first, but after a while, people were like, “...wait, what?” ?? With senior leadership, I realized that they want the high-level stuff – strategy, insights, results. They don’t have time for fluff. With my team, I found that they wanted more than just the how – they wanted the why behind it all. Once I started explaining the reasoning, things clicked. With other departments and business users, I figured out that it’s about alignment. Make sure everyone’s goals match up and that your work is actually helping them win.
• Evolution: Slowly but surely, I started adapting my communication. I stopped treating everyone the same and started tweaking how I talked based on who I was speaking to. Tony Stark was a huge inspiration here – his communication is always spot-on, strategic, and purpose-driven.

3. The Tools: The Avengers Assemble (Tech Edition)

As a leader, you gotta have the right tools to keep everything organized. These tools make communication smoother and help you stay on top of things without getting too overwhelmed.

• Slack: Think of Slack as your bestie – it’s always there for quick chats, updates, and casual convos. It's perfect for when you need to get things done fast without having to write an essay.
• ClickUp: This is your Hawkeye – super focused, organized, and ready to hit targets. ClickUp helps you keep track of tasks, deadlines, and projects without missing a beat.
• Jira: If you’re managing a team that does deep work (like engineering), Jira is a lifesaver. It’s like Iron Man’s suit – powerful, organized, and gets the job done.
• Zoom: Sometimes, a face-to-face (or video-to-video) is the best way to communicate. Zoom is key for building relationships with your remote team and having those personal convos that can’t be replaced by messages.
• Whiteboard (In-Person or Digital): You ever have that moment where you’re like, “We gotta just throw ideas out there and see what sticks”? That’s what whiteboards are for. Visualize, brainstorm, and create clarity together.
• Calendly: Time management? A must. Calendly helps you organize your meetings and ensure that your schedule isn’t just back-to-back chaos.
• Grammarly: Because sometimes your “text speak” doesn’t cut it in professional communication. Grammarly makes sure your writing is clear, correct, and easy to understand.
• Slack Canvases: These are super handy for capturing meeting notes or ideas in one place. No more “Wait, what was said during that last meeting?” – just write it down and get straight to the point.

Lesson: Tools don’t do the work for you, but they make the work easier. Using the right ones makes your communication organized and efficient.

4. Active Listening: Not Just About Talking

• Example: As a new leader, it’s easy to think your job is to talk – but the real magic happens when you listen. Just like in The Office, where everyone’s got something to say, your team’s input is gold. Listen to their ideas, concerns, and feedback. When you actively listen, you get real-time feedback on how things are going. If your team’s frustrated, listening to that can help you change things for the better. Business users? Same deal. Listening to their needs lets you find ways to support them while also meeting the company’s goals.
• Evolution: The more I listened, the more I was able to understand my team and align them with the bigger picture. It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room – it’s about being the one who hears everyone out.

5. Personal vs. Professional: Finding the Balance

• Example: Leadership isn’t just about being the boss. It’s about building relationships. At first, I tried to keep it all professional, but over time, I realized that people need to see the human side of you, too. You don’t want to be Michael Scott 24/7, but you also don’t want to be too cold like Ryan. ??
• Solution: I started connecting with my team and colleagues beyond just work. A little humor here, a little empathy there – it really goes a long way in building trust and rapport.
• Evolution: Over time, I found that when people felt comfortable with me, they were more willing to engage and collaborate. Leadership isn’t about being distant; it’s about being present and approachable.

6. From Messy Communicator to Getting Things Done

• Example: When I was first starting out, I was all over the place. Like Michael Scott, I’d say something with a lot of energy but without much structure. As you can imagine, that didn’t get results. ?? Bad Communicator: I’d say things like, “I’m Beyoncé, always,” hoping that would get people on board, but in reality, that’s not how leadership works. The Evolution: Over time, I learned that leadership is about clear and actionable communication. Like Tony Stark, I needed to communicate with purpose. When I started being more intentional with my messages, everything became much smoother.
• Outcome: With clarity, I started seeing better results. I was able to delegate more, set clearer expectations, and help my team succeed.

7. Next Steps: Always Write Things Down

• Example: This one seems simple, but it’s easy to forget. After any meeting, I always make sure I write down next steps and who’s responsible for what. This eliminates confusion and keeps things moving.
• Outcome: It keeps everyone on the same page and makes sure nothing slips through the cracks. Whether it’s a quick chat or a long meeting, having clear action points makes all the difference.

8. Time Management: Balancing Your Life

• Example: Leadership can take over your life if you’re not careful. But if you don’t manage your time, you’re setting yourself up for burnout. Calendly has been my lifesaver for keeping my schedule under control, making sure I’ve got time for work and personal life.
• Solution: Time management is key to staying productive and making time for the people who matter. Being busy doesn’t always mean being productive.
• Outcome: I learned how to balance work, meetings, and personal time, which helped me be a more focused and energized leader.

9. Final Thoughts: Keep Evolving as a Leader

• Leadership is a journey, not a destination. The more you grow, the more you’ll learn about your team and yourself. And trust me – communication is your greatest asset. The better you communicate, the better your team will perform. Keep tweaking, keep learning, and remember – even Tony Stark wasn’t always the smooth operator he is now.

So, take a deep breath, and remember: leadership is a work in progress – and the best part is, you’re not in it alone. Keep going, and you’ll get there. ??