The Symphony of Consistency

Effective leadership communication is the cornerstone of success, and one key element that often distinguishes exceptional leaders is consistency. Leaders build trust, transparency, and a united team by clearly communicating their expectations, values, and choices.

In this article, we will examine why consistency in leadership communication is crucial, taking inspiration from the leadership approaches of David Marquet, a former submarine commander, and Ginni Rometty, a well-known CEO in the technology industry.

The Power of Consistency:

Consistency in communication is not merely about repeating the same phrases or messages.

Imagine a conductor directing an orchestra. In leadership, being consistent is like the conductor's steady hand – it's what combines actions and words to create a unified whole. It means matching your words, actions, and decisions with a clear and steady message that connects with your team. This consistency establishes a stable and trustworthy leadership environment, helping teams better understand their leaders' intentions and make well-informed decisions.

David Marquet - Commanding with Intent

David Marquet, a former submarine commander, changed the game in leadership by moving away from the traditional command-and-control style to something called "intent-based leadership." Instead of closely managing and directing every move, Marquet focused on telling his crew the "what" and "why" of a task, giving them the power to make decisions based on the communicated intent. This change turned the USS Santa Fe, one of the worst-performing submarines in the fleet, into the best.

Key Takeaway:

Marquet's success comes from consistently applying intent-based leadership. He always explained the purpose of each task, empowered his team to decide, and consistently showed that his actions matched the communicated intent. This approach created a culture where his crew took ownership, were accountable, and showed initiative.

Ginni Rometty - Navigating Industry Changes

Ginni Rometty, the former CEO of IBM, showed the significance of keeping communication consistent while navigating the fast-paced technology industry. She always conveyed IBM's dedication to innovation, emphasising the need to embrace emerging technologies such as AI and cloud computing. Her vision played a crucial role in steering the company's transformation, allowing it to stay competitive amid rapid changes.

Key Takeaway:

Rometty's leadership highlighted how vital consistent communication is when adapting to industry shifts. Her skill in clearly expressing IBM's vision and strategy, along with reinforcing it consistently across the organisation, became a guiding principle for her team. This steadiness provided a clear sense of direction and purpose, helping IBM successfully navigate the ever-changing tech landscape.

Consistency in Communication and Team Dynamics:

Keeping communication consistent is like laying a strong foundation for creating high-performing and psychologically safe teams. When leaders consistently express their expectations, values, and priorities, they cultivate a positive and stable team environment, fostering trust, collaboration, and a sense of psychological safety. Let's explore how consistency in communication supports these crucial aspects of team dynamics:

Building Trust: Consistent communication establishes a trustworthy base within a team. When leaders openly communicate expectations, values, and priorities, team members gain a clear understanding of what's expected. This transparency reduces uncertainty, building trust as team members can rely on the consistent messages and actions.

Encouraging Predictability: Predictability is essential for a psychologically safe environment. When team members can anticipate leaders' responses and actions, they feel more comfortable, lowering anxiety and promoting a sense of security. Consistent communication creates patterns that contribute to a predictable and stable work atmosphere.

Fostering Accountability: Consistent communication sets clear expectations and ensures everyone is responsible for their roles. Team members grasp the standards they need to meet, and leaders consistently reinforce these expectations. This clarity nurtures a sense of accountability, motivating individuals to meet established standards and contribute to the team's success.

Promoting Open Dialogue: A psychologically safe team encourages open and honest communication. When leaders consistently show openness and receptiveness to feedback, team members are more likely to share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fearing negative consequences. This consistency in openness builds a culture where open dialogue becomes the norm.

Strengthening Team Cohesion: Consistent communication about goals, progress, and challenges ensures everyone is on the same page. When team members share a common understanding of their objectives, progress, and challenges, they feel more connected and unified. This shared understanding enhances team cohesion and camaraderie.

As we conclude our exploration of "Mastering Clarity, Consistency, and Cadence in Communication: Consistency" it's time to translate our insights into actionable lessons. Building upon the foundations of clarity and the harmony of consistency, these takeaways serve as practical guideposts for those aiming to improve their communication skills.

From aligning words with actions to keeping communication channels open, these insights will guide you toward effective and impactful leadership communication.

Key Takeaway 1: Define and Communicate Core Values

• Identify individual/team core values by gathering input from team members and stakeholders.
• Clearly articulate these values in a concise and understandable manner.
• Integrate core values into everyday communications, using examples to illustrate their practical application.
• Encourage team members to embody these values and recognize and reward those who demonstrate them.

Key Takeaway 2: Align Words with Actions

• Reflect on your communication style, ensuring that your words and actions align.
• Seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or coaches to understand how your communication is perceived.
• Model the behaviour you expect from your team, leading by example.
• Hold yourself accountable by acknowledging and correcting any inconsistencies between your words and actions.

Key Takeaway 3: Regular Reinforcement

• Incorporate core values into team meetings and agendas, regularly revisiting and discussing their application.
• Use storytelling to reinforce core values, sharing examples of team members exemplifying these values.
• Integrate core values into company-wide communications through newsletters, emails, and social media.

Key Takeaway 4: Embrace Open Communication

• Create a safe space for open and honest communication within the team.
• Actively listen to feedback, understanding different perspectives and viewpoints.
• Address concerns promptly and transparently, preventing issues from festering.
• Be willing to admit when you're wrong, demonstrating a commitment to learning from mistakes.

Key Takeaway 5: Adaptability within Consistency

• Be open to feedback on your communication style and effectiveness.
• Adapt your communication strategies to changing circumstances, adjusting tone and formality based on the audience and situation.
• Maintain consistency in core values and messages while adapting your communication approach.

Consistency in communication is a potent tool for leaders aiming to nurture high-performing and psychologically safe teams. Clear and dependable messages contribute to a positive team culture marked by trust, predictability, accountability, open dialogue, and cohesion, ultimately enhancing performance and well-being within the team.

Let's pause to reflect on key insights from the series.

Part 1: The Clarity Blueprint

Our journey began by establishing a sturdy foundation – clarity. Much like a map guides an adventurer, we learned that clarity acts as the compass, helping leaders navigate the complex communication landscape. From Brené Brown's precise messaging to the transformative impact of visual aids, we understood that a clear message is crucial for building trust and fostering understanding.

Part 2: The Symphony of Consistency

Advancing to the next phase, we delved into the symphony of consistency. Like a conductor harmonising melodies, we uncovered the importance of aligning words with actions. Drawing inspiration from leaders like David Marquet, we saw how consistency serves as the invisible thread, connecting a leader's message over time and fostering trust and reliability within a team.

In the upcoming final act of our series, "The Cadence of Leadership Communication," we'll explore the rhythm that breathes life into engaging leadership communication. Join me next time as we dive into adapting communication cadence to create a truly impactful leadership symphony.