As we begin this new year, and we get laser-sharp focused on strategic planning for the new year, we put together a list of what we found to be the top five skill gaps for women leaders at various levels. We researched some of the top publications known for setting annual leadership trends and over the course of the next few posts, we will share what was found in many of the lists regarding gap areas for leaders.
We begin with New Leaders and a look at the top skill gap areas where development focus should begin. The first skill highlighted is effective communication. Communication is very important even when you are not a leader, but it is even more crucial for those in a leadership position. Effective communication can show up in many ways that help leaders better support those they are leading. Some of those ways are:
By clearly articulating ideas - As a leader you are tasked with influencing those you lead to buy into a vision that is shared by all on a team. Being able to clearly share the vision in a way that not only secures buy in but that also gives way for each team member to contribute their talent to the shared vision. When you can clearly state ideas to where they are understood and they motivate the team to take action toward accomplishing a goal, you are considered an effective communicator.
By giving and receiving feedback - As a leader you are responsible for helping to develop those you lead. You must be able to give constructive feedback on performance in a way to where improvement needed can be seen and made by each member of your team. Likewise, you must, also, be able to receive feedback (listening is a big part of communicating) on your own performance. This will help you improve and to become aware of blind spots that are present in your leadership style. This, also, shows your team that there is space and value for their insights and ideas.
By building rapport with your team or group - As a leader you have the responsibility of building teams in order to accomplish a shared vision. The leader will set the tone for how the team members interact with one another. An effective communicator is able to build the necessary rapport with her team to where trust and respect are developed and used to get the job done. The key to building rapport is trust, and trust is built in part through communication.
If you are a new leader, how do you rate yourself in the skill of effective communication? Is it one that you have included in your 2025 development plan to improve? How have you demonstrated this skill previously and what were some results of your communication style? Have you had the opportunity to really put this skill into practice as a new leader?
Resources: How to Build a Leadership Communication Habit for 2025; Building Trust in 2025: The Power of Effective Leadership Communication