?? Lack of Clarity in Leadership: A Hidden Blind Spot ??And How To Tackle It !
Andrew Nowak
Member Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches. Marshall Goldsmith Certified Leadership, Executive & Team Coach. Global Leadership Coach. Helping Leaders Become The Leaders They Would Follow. Visionary Leadership Coach.
Clarity in leadership isn't just important—it’s essential. When leaders don't clearly communicate their vision, goals, and expectations, the result is confusion, misalignment, and dwindling morale. Unfortunately, many leaders assume that their teams understand their directives without needing further clarification or follow-up.
?? Here’s the key misconception: Just because someone understands, doesn’t mean they’ll take action. Clarity in leadership requires not just communication, but ensuring that your message is fully understood and acted upon. It’s about following up and verifying that your team is on track, aligned, and moving forward together.
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For example, a CEO might send out a memo with a new company mission. But if they don’t follow up to check that employees have received, understood, and remembered it, the mission risks fading into the background—rendering the initial communication ineffective.
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?? So, what’s the solution? Leaders need to foster a culture of open communication and feedback. Actively seek your team’s insights, listen, and adapt based on constructive input. This creates an environment where your vision is not only understood but embraced by everyone, leading to better alignment and execution of goals.
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?? In short, clarity in leadership goes beyond issuing directives. It’s about ensuring your team truly understands and is empowered to take action. And that requires continuous communication, feedback, and a willingness to adapt.
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?? How do you tackle lack of clarity? Try using the Six-Question Process to guide your leadership conversations:
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1?? Where are we going?
2?? Where are you going?
3?? What are we doing well?
4?? Suggestions for the future?
5?? How can I help?
6?? What ideas do you have for me?
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By regularly engaging in this dialogue every 2-3 months, you can reduce ambiguity, align your team, and build a culture of shared responsibility. This approach has proven effective across various organisations and can be a game-changer for leadership clarity.
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Let’s embrace clarity and empower our teams! ??
Helping others learn to lead with greater purpose and grace via my speaking, coaching, and the brand-new Baldoni ChatBot. (And now a 4x LinkedIn Top Voice)
1 个月Love the photo, Andrew and it so “clearly” illustrates what it is like to lead without clarity. Great insight, my friend.
PhD & Newfield Certified Coach (ICF/PCC level)
1 个月So true ??
Member Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches. Marshall Goldsmith Certified Leadership, Executive & Team Coach. Global Leadership Coach. Helping Leaders Become The Leaders They Would Follow. Visionary Leadership Coach.
1 个月"Clarity is the counterbalance of profound thoughts". Luc de Clapiers