From Values to Action: The Four Principles of Values-Based Leadership

CHAPTER 8

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Whenever I am asked to speak, whether at the Kellogg School of Management, to groups of CEOs and CFOs, or to hundreds of members of a company sales force, the most requested topic is communication in the context of leadership. For me personally, I find the topic exciting because experience has taught me that this is the one area that gets the most people off track. Even if the organization has diligently defined its values, put the right team in place, and set a clear direction, effective communication doesn't happen automatically.

Effective communication is clear, simple, straightforward, and concise. It does not rely on acronyms and buzzwords, and it certainly isn't meant to show off how smart the speaker ...