What’s important for impactful communication in leadership?

In this vlog we ask Andy Brown, Managing Director at Taylor’s of Harrogate what’s important for him to be a leader with impactful communication. For Andy it’s important to be yourself when you are communicating, whoever you are talking to/writing to/engaging with, and to avoid coming across as intimidating.

A transcript of this film is below:

I think as as a leader it's important, when you communicate, to keep things really simple, clear and honest. So whether it be verbal or written, whatever the type of communication, its important you're saying it, or writing it the way you would do as if I was talking to you, whoever you're talking to. Whether I'm talking to one of my team, someone on the shop floor, someone in the office - it’s important just be myself, be approachable and not come across as intimidating, not that I am intimidating at all, but if I was, I would try and make sure I wasn’t coming across like that .

Its important to have a real conversation and not try to catch people out, because I think a lot of leaders - they try and catch people out - and that puts people ill at ease, so I think it's really important to put people at ease when you're talking to them.

If I'm speaking to a bigger group, or speaking to the whole business for instance, or if I'm writing something - in the newsletter to the business for example, it's about writing it as if I was saying it - you know, really clear, simple messages that people can take away and understand and remember not to try to be too clever.

Watch and hear Andy’s thoughts on what being a whole hearted leader means HERE

Andy Brown