Communication: The Leadership Superpower | Ep. 58 | The Science of Leadership

In this episode of The Science of Leadership, host Tom Collins sits down with Amanda Schagane, an expert in leadership and organizational development at the University of Kentucky HealthCare. They explore the idea that effective communication is the most vital leadership skill, calling it a "superpower" that is often underdeveloped.

 

Amanda defines effective communication not just as the ability to convey a message, but as the ability to do so in a way that is understood and inspires the right actions. She asserts that communication is the "delivery system for leadership" , and a reflection of a leader's mindset. A leader's effectiveness as a communicator determines how well their vision, expectations, and feedback are received.

 

The conversation highlights key takeaways:

• Trust and Psychological Safety: Effective communication, which includes intentional listening and respectful debate, is essential for building trust and psychological safety.
• Beyond Words: Communication isn't just about what is said; it is also about tone, timing, and non-verbal cues. When a leader's tone is dissonant with their message, it can totally derail the intended communication.
• Actions Align with Words: The most effective leaders communicate through consistent behavior, where their actions match their words, which fosters a culture of integrity and trust.

 

Amanda shares a powerful story of a senior leader at UK HealthCare who, by modeling vulnerability and listening to her frontline managers, created a safe space that led to a significant increase in confidence and improved collaborative decision-making. The hosts conclude with practical tips for improving communication, including pausing before responding, asking open-ended questions, giving specific praise, and regularly following up. Also, I am excited to announce the release of my new book, "The Four Stars of Leadership," a culmination of over three years of dedicated work, and I'm confident it will be an immensely interesting and helpful guide on your journey to becoming a better leader. Don't miss out on this essential resource—order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and share your thoughts with me!

Key References:

Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. L. (2002). Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic findings and implications for research and practice. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 611–628. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.87.4.611

Duhigg, C. (2024). Supercommunicators: How to unlock the secret language of connection. Random House.

Gallup, Inc. (2023). State of the global workplace: 2023 report. Gallup.

Goleman, D. (1998). What makes a leader? Harvard Business Review, 76(6), 93–102.

Ruben, B. D., & Gigliotti, R. A. (2016). Leadership as Social Influence. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 23(4), 467–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051816641876