The Challenge of Communication in Leadership
I've been reflecting a lot lately on effective communication and how often leaders get it wrong. It’s not that we’re not capable—it’s that we’re expected to just know how to do it.
We’re supposed to lead teams, deal with different personalities, and engage with various stakeholders, all while navigating challenging conversations. But who teaches us how to communicate effectively in these situations?
My Experience with Leadership and Communication
Lack of Tools and Resources: When I first stepped into leadership, I had no resources for communication. I had to figure things out as I went, which made certain situations harder than they needed to be.
Leadership Pathways: I eventually attended a Leadership Pathways course, which was great for project management but didn’t quite touch on the communication skills I needed.
Facilitating NPQs: As someone who facilitated the first cluster of NPQs (National Professional Qualifications) at my MAT, I saw first-hand that while communication was mentioned, the focus was far from developing practical people management skills—an essential leadership component.
The Gap: Why Leaders Struggle with Communication
Pressure to Know Everything: As leaders, we’re expected to send effective emails, negotiate salaries, manage underperformance, and inspire our teams through feedback. Yet, we’re rarely given concrete tools to help with this.
A Missing Piece: From my experience, I realised that leadership programmes often overlook the “people management” aspect—specifically, how to handle real conversations that impact relationships and performance.
The Solution: Introducing the TalkSavvy C.R.A.F.T. Framework
Why I Created It: After years of reflecting on what was missing in leadership training, I decided to create my own framework—something that would give leaders a practical toolkit to handle a variety of situations.
What is C.R.A.F.T.?: It's a communication framework. It stands for Clarity, Respect, Adaptability, Feedback, and Trust—the core principles I believe underpin every successful leadership communication.
Breaking Down C.R.A.F.T.
Clarity: How to ensure your message is clear, concise, and leaves no room for misinterpretation. Whether it's a team meeting or an important email, clarity sets the tone.
Respect: Maintaining respect, especially in difficult conversations, builds rapport and fosters collaboration.
Adaptability: Every audience is different. Adapting your communication style to fit the situation or person is crucial.
Feedback: Giving feedback that not only challenges but also encourages and develops your team is a game-changer.
Trust: Communication builds trust over time, and it’s vital for long-term leadership success. Without trust, even the clearest message may fall flat.
Practical Applications of C.R.A.F.T.
Everyday Leadership Conversations: Whether you’re negotiating a pay raise, addressing a performance issue, or handling interpersonal friction in your team, C.R.A.F.T. can help.
People Management: This framework works not only for sending emails or managing tasks but also for developing the people you lead.
What's to Come: Digital Resources, Webinars, and Workshops
C.R.A.F.T. Diagnostic Tool: Soon, I'll be launching an interactive online diagnostic tool that helps you assess how well you apply the principles of C.R.A.F.T. in your daily communication. Based on your responses, you’ll receive personalised feedback and tips for improvement.
Workshops & Webinars: Along with this, I’m excited to announce a series of workshops and webinars designed to teach you how to use C.R.A.F.T. in practice. These sessions will cover everything from negotiating pay to giving constructive feedback and handling challenging team dynamics.
Digital Workbooks: I’m also developing a series of workbooks and digital tools for leaders at all levels. These will guide you through a variety of leadership situations, providing space for reflection and action planning.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Leaders through TalkSavvy
A Tool for Every Leader: The C.R.A.F.T. framework is something I wish I had when I started my leadership journey. It’s my hope that it will help you navigate leadership challenges with confidence, clarity, and, most importantly, respect.
Ready to communicate like a leader? Start using C.R.A.F.T. today and transform the way you engage with your team and stakeholders.
Download your C.R.A.F.T Framework Infographic now:
Malarvilie Krishnasamy is a Leadership Consultant, Coach & Facilitator. With 15 years of leadership experience she specialises in developing leaders emotional intelligence and communication skills.
If you're interested in MalCPD's coaching or training packages, get in touch here: hello@malcpd.com
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