We've seen two common leadership styles when it comes to communication.

The first is “I just say it like it is.” No filter. No pause. No thought for timing or delivery.

The second is the opposite. Decisions happen in the background. Information is shared selectively. People hear things through the grapevine before they hear it from their own manager.

Both create problems.

When you’re too blunt, people don’t feel safe to engage. They start holding back, choosing their words carefully or stammering, or saying nothing at all just to avoid being on the receiving end of it.

When you’re not open enough, people start guessing. And most of the time, they guess wrong. That’s where frustration creeps in; not always because of the decision itself, but because of how it was handled.

You can feel it in a team when communication isn’t right. There’s hesitation. Less input. More side conversations.

Getting this balance right isn’t about being softer or harsher. It’s about being more aware.

Saying what needs to be said, but taking a second to think about how it’s going to land. Sharing enough context so people aren’t left connecting the dots themselves. And being upfront, even when it’s uncomfortable, and without making it personal.

Most people can handle honesty. What they struggle with is feeling blindsided or shut out.

That’s usually where things start to unravel.

Transparent communication might not be something most people are naturally good at, but it’s a skill that can be developed.

The right kind of communication training helps leaders handle difficult conversations, read the room better, and get their message across without creating unnecessary tension. It also gives teams a shared way of communicating, which makes a bigger difference than people realise.

Because when communication improves, everything else tends to follow.