The 3 Communication Mistakes Even Leaders Make

Most leadership breakdowns don’t happen during big moments.

They happen quietly.
In everyday conversations.
In meetings.
In quick check‑ins.
In “I thought that was clear” moments.

I’ve spent years working with leaders across corporate spaces, churches, teams, and families—and I can tell you this with confidence: even strong leaders make communication mistakes. Not because they don’t care. Not because they lack skill. But because communication is human, dynamic, and deeply tied to pressure, stress, and habit.

Today, I want to walk you through three communication mistakes that even experienced leaders make, why they happen, and what to do instead—without turning yourself into a robot or overthinking every sentence you say.

Mistake #1: Confusing Clarity with Volume

This one is incredibly common.

You explain something.
It doesn’t land.
So you explain it again.
With more words.
More urgency.
More follow‑ups.
More messages.

And suddenly, you’re frustrated because you’ve said it three times and people still don’t “get it.”

Here’s the hard truth:

If people don’t understand you, it’s rarely because they didn’t hear you.

It’s usually because:

• The message wasn’t anchored to a clear why

• Expectations weren’t specific

• Or the listener didn’t feel safe enough to ask clarifying questions

When leaders feel pressure, they often default to over‑communicating: more meetings, more emails, more Slack messages, more Voxers, more follow‑ups. But clarity doesn’t come from more communication—it comes from better framing.

Instead of repeating yourself, try asking:

• “What part of this feels unclear?”

• “What do you think success looks like here?”

• “What are you hearing me say?”

That last question can feel uncomfortable—but it’s powerful. Because leadership communication isn’t about what you said. It’s about what others heard.

More volume doesn’t make a message clearer. It usually makes it noisier—and easier to tune out.

Mistake #2: Talking to Be Understood Instead of Listening to Understand

Most leaders are fast thinkers.
Problem solvers.
Fixers.

Which means while someone else is talking, your brain is already:

• Diagnosing the issue

• Planning the solution

• Preparing your response

It feels productive—but it steals your presence.

People can tell when you’re just waiting for your turn to talk. Even if you’re nodding. Even if you’re smiling. Even if the advice you’re about to give is genuinely good.

When someone doesn’t feel truly heard, they stop telling you the full truth.

They give you the edited version.
The safe version.
The version that won’t rock the boat.

And that’s when leadership suffers—not because people don’t care, but because they don’t feel seen.

Real listening looks like:

• Pausing before responding

• Reflecting back what you heard

• Asking one thoughtful question instead of offering one more solution

One of the most powerful phrases a leader can use is also one of the simplest:

“Tell me more.”

Listening builds trust faster than any motivational speech ever could. People don’t need leaders who always have the answer—they need leaders who make space for honesty.

Mistake #3: Communicating from Authority Instead of Connection

Leadership isn’t about reminding people you’re in charge.
It’s about inviting people to move with you.

When communication comes purely from authority—titles, hierarchy, control—it may create compliance, but it won’t create commitment.

Authority says:

• “Because I said so.”

• “This is how it’s going to be.”

• “Just do what I asked.”

Connection says:

• “Here’s why this matters.”

• “I want to understand your perspective.”

• “Let’s figure this out together.”

The strongest leaders don’t rely on position to be respected—they lead from relationship. They know that people work harder, care more, and stay longer when they feel connected, not controlled.

This doesn’t mean abandoning boundaries or clarity. It means remembering that leadership is human first.

Leadership Communication Is a Practice

These mistakes aren’t character flaws.
They’re habits.

And habits can be changed.

Great leadership communication doesn’t require perfection. It requires awareness, humility, and a willingness to adjust. When leaders communicate with clarity, curiosity, and connection, everything shifts—trust deepens, morale improves, and people show up more fully.

You don’t need to talk more to lead better.
You need to listen better.
Frame clearer.
And connect deeper.

That’s where real leadership lives.