Last year, I learned a crucial lesson about leadership team communication. You work hard to build a strong, dedicated team that supports you and your company, yet sometimes, without realizing it, you isolate yourself from the very support system you created.
At the end of our Monday huddle, I said, “By the way, we might go to Florida to visit family at the end of July, but I’m not sure yet.” My statement was met with complete silence. Remembering last summer’s experience, I quickly added, “I promise I’ll let you know BEFORE we go, if we go.”
The Importance of Leadership Team Communication
Last summer, I planned to take my son to Florida to visit family, but at the last minute, I wasn’t sure if we were going. We finally decided to go and drove out on a Saturday. It didn’t occur to me to inform my team, since it was the weekend and I was preoccupied with packing for a road trip from Austin to Tampa with a four-year-old.
Unfortunately, life happened: We stopped midway on Saturday night at a friend’s place, and on Sunday morning, my son fell and hit his head, requiring an urgent care visit for incision glue. This delay disrupted our trip. By Monday, I had made it to Tampa but felt overwhelmed. I knew I could work but felt drained and didn’t want to talk to anyone. I chose to take a step back to regroup—but I failed to communicate this to my team.
The Impact of Poor Leadership Team Communication
Even though I was working and available by email, I only sent brief texts canceling our conference calls. I hunkered down to catch my breath while ensuring client work didn’t fall through the cracks. (I sincerely hope I’m not the only leader who has been in this position!)
By Wednesday, during a call with my key team member, she said something that profoundly impacted me:
“I’m trying to support you. But you aren’t telling me what’s happening or what you need. Let me help you.”
That moment made me realize I had a team member who genuinely cared and was willing to step up. However, because I failed to communicate, she was left guessing and had to navigate things on her own. Did I need to tell her every detail? No. But a simple message letting her know my son and I were safe and that I was feeling overwhelmed would have helped. She would have stepped in to handle necessary interactions, providing stability and reassurance for the rest of the team.
Strengthening Leadership Group Communication
We often train our teams to be transparent with us about their personal situations, so we don’t misinterpret changes in their performance or attitude. However, I’ve come to realize that transparency must go both ways.
As leaders, we need to find the balance between over-sharing, which can cause unnecessary chaos, and withholding information, which leaves our teams in the dark. When our habits and communication styles abruptly change, it creates uncertainty and confusion. This isolation is often self-imposed, yet easily avoidable.
How to Improve Leadership Group Communication
To prevent your team from being left in the dark, find a communication balance that works for you. Keep your team informed to eliminate unnecessary guesswork and ensure they can support you when needed. And most importantly—if you leave town, let them know!
If you need help building a strong, supportive team, schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery email today by clicking here.
Written by Moly Hall McGrath
