Why Leaders Should Overcommunicate
I’ve never worked for a leader who repeated themselves too much. Who explained the company strategy in toooo much detail. Or who communicated too much about company goals.
But I have worked for plenty of leaders who didn’t say enough. Who assumed we understood the why behind our work. Maybe they thought reiterating the basics was unhelpful. Or that it was too much effort and time for everyone, and not really worth it.
It’s a common refrain that leaders should over communicate. I think it’s a crucial and unintuitive practice. It’s so much better to say the thing an extra time than to never say it at all.
So why don’t more leaders communicate more often? They know their job is to align the team, rally people around a vision, and drive results. Clear and consistent communication is a key foundation for these responsibilities. What’s stopping them?
Well, one thing that stands in the way is a cognitive bias called the Illusion of Transparency.
This bias causes us to believe that the people we interact with understand what we are thinking and feeling more than they actually do.
“This thing is so obvious to me - so of course it must be obvious to them!”
And I get it. It can feel silly to repeat yourself or say a thing that feels painfully obvious to you. Like maybe you are insulting the people you work with by spelling it out in such great detail.
But in many cases - your team just doesn’t understand the context, the relevance, or the decision making process you went through on a specific topic. And “showing your work” can be incredibly valuable.
Clearly explaining your goals, decisions and thought process isn’t just communication - it’s teaching.
In addition to ensuring your team is motivated, on the same page, and collaborating effectively, over communication is also a way to invest in your team’s future.
Leadership isn’t only about getting things done. It’s about helping others learn, so they can make better decisions and lead in the future.
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Post script - I had a meta moment before hitting publish. Maybe I am guilty of this bias too? To me it is obvious that I am sharing on Linked In because I want to meet new clients. But maybe that’s not obvious to you?
So, to practice what I preach:
I have a few slots on my coaching roster open for the spring. If you are a founder or leader at a tech company and you know personal growth will be crucial to your success this year - reach out. I’d love to support you in that work.