Success in leadership is heavily dependent on good communication.   During our state conference last month (time flies!), Tammy Longo and I talked about Leading from the Pack: Developing Leadership Skills While Working for Someone Else.  In addition to being the loudest presenters who definitely had too much fun, we shared some thoughts on improving your communication, no matter what your role in the organization is.

Some leaders make it easy.  They are brightly shining lighthouses - pointing out problems way before you get there, giving you guidance on rocky situations, and ultimately, getting you safely landed in port where you belong.  These are people who have worked on their communication skills both in delivering messages to those who report to them, and listening to what their employees are saying.  

Some leaders are lighthouses, still shining, but their bulbs are a little dull.  They give guidance at the last minute right before you run into trouble. The way forward is not clear, but they don't let you run into the rocks and ultimately, after much navigation and re-navigation, you will get there.  Sometimes new managers are like this because their hearts are in the right place, but they need experience to brighten their light.  Sometimes your boss is overwhelmed and can only give you as needed attention.

Some leaders' lights are out.  These lighthouses are still in the position to help you navigate your work journey, but they give you no guidance on bringing your ship into port (and getting your job done).  These managers are either disinterested in your success, caught up in their own drama, or over-promoted.  

When facing dull lighthouses, or worse, a missing lightbulb, what should you do as an employee?  Here were our key takeaways for what to do when your leader lacks good communication:

1. Assume good intent.  This is the one thing that Tammy and I have both committed ourselves to, that has changed our lives.  We assume good intent.  We all have a little voice in our head that reads our emails and texts, and sometimes that voice can be negative.  We have trained our voices to be positive.  We think everything is ok, we believe all is right, and we read even the tersest emails with a sense of positivity.  It really helps our mental attitude and we don't get offended about a quick email someone sent off without salutations.  It makes you a lot happier.

2. Ask how do you want me to communicate with you. My boss doesn't want to receive emails. He wants to be texted.  Some of my former coworkers preferred phone calls or in person conversations. I love emails.  Ask your boss how they want to be communicated to and communicate that way. Don't forget to ask if they want an escalation plan (if it is an emergency, always call me!).

3. Ask too many questions! Build your own lighthouse and guide your way home by checking in and asking lots of questions of your supervisor. To make sure I get my work done on time, what do you need from me by when?  How is everything? Is everything on track? Are there any problems I should know about?

4.  Learn to lead meetings.  Ask for meetings with your supervisor and set an agenda. A meeting without an agenda and objectives is an email.  Learn how to manage your manager through a meeting (it's hard). Tammy introduced me to the "parking lot" where you put all asides to make sure that the meeting gets through its agenda.  Gently remind your supervisor of the agenda and meeting and park those ideas for a future meeting (or email).