March 2013: Make communication a priority.

This month’s insight might sound blindingly obvious, but it's astonishing how many leaders contend that they don't have time to communicate -- especially with their people.  Sometimes this is a symptom that they are spending too much time in the weeds -- doing versus leading.  Other times, it’s a troublesome indication that they don’t view this as a necessary task.  They believe that good employees will find a way to get the information they need.

Successful leaders put their people first, and they understand that communication is fundamental to keeping their teams productive, engaged, connected and headed in the right direction. You simply cannot rally people around a vision or strategy, keep them motivated and delivering strong results if you aren't communicating with them. This is a non-negotiable leadership responsibility.

Communication doesn’t have to be a complex or overwhelming task. Today, pause and consider whether you've made communication a priority. At you next staff meeting, ask: how can I do a better job communicating with you? What would you like to see more of, or less of?