5. Study the Habits of Highly Influential Communicators
Ever wonder what sets great communicators apart? The ones who walk into a room (or a Zoom call) and effortlessly inspire trust, influence decisions, and engage their audiences? It’s not magic or luck—it’s the consistent practice of powerful communication habits.
The good news is, you can adopt and master these same habits. By observing and applying proven communication practices from influential leaders, you can quickly boost your own effectiveness and influence.
Here’s your practical, straightforward guide to the habits that define highly influential communicators—and how to integrate them into your own leadership style.
Why Studying Influential Communicators Matters
Great communicators consistently demonstrate habits that foster trust, inspire action, and persuade others. Adopting these practices helps you become more effective, credible, and influential.
Learning from influential communicators helps you:
Inspire trust, credibility, and confidence.
Clearly articulate ideas that motivate action.
Strengthen professional relationships through clear, authentic communication.
Build greater personal and professional influence.
Habit 1: Listen Actively and Attentively
Influential communicators listen deeply—not just to reply, but to genuinely understand. Active listening shows respect, builds trust, and allows leaders to respond thoughtfully and effectively.
How to practice active listening:
Give your full attention—avoid multitasking.
Maintain steady eye contact.
Paraphrase or ask clarifying questions to confirm understanding.
Real-world example:
When a team member shares an idea or concern, you respond by paraphrasing, “Just to make sure I’ve got this right, you’re suggesting we prioritize customer feedback more closely?”
Habit 2: Communicate Clearly and Simply
Influential communicators make complex ideas easy to understand. They use simple, direct language and avoid unnecessary jargon or complexity.
How to communicate clearly:
Use plain, straightforward language.
Keep your messages concise and focused.
Always summarize key points clearly.
Real-world example:
Instead of saying, “We’re optimizing strategic initiatives to leverage synergies,” clearly state, “We’re streamlining our projects to help teams work together better.”
Habit 3: Show Authenticity and Vulnerability
Influential communicators aren’t afraid to show vulnerability or admit they don’t have all the answers. Authenticity builds immediate trust and credibility.
How to show authenticity:
Admit mistakes openly and discuss lessons learned.
Express genuine emotions and empathy.
Speak truthfully and transparently.
Real-world example:
Say openly, “I made an error in judgment here, and I take full responsibility. Here’s how we’ll fix this.” This approach builds immediate respect and trust.
Habit 4: Use Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Great communicators connect deeply by understanding others’ feelings and perspectives. Empathy builds trust, strengthens relationships, and makes your message resonate.
How to demonstrate empathy:
Acknowledge and validate others’ feelings (“I understand this situation is stressful”).
Show genuine concern and interest.
Respond thoughtfully to emotional cues in conversations.
Real-world example:
When discussing a tough change, say genuinely, “I recognize this transition isn’t easy, and it’s normal to feel uncertain. Let’s work through it together.”
Habit 5: Communicate with Confidence and Conviction
Confidence convinces. Influential communicators speak clearly, decisively, and with strong conviction—making their ideas compelling and believable.
How to speak confidently:
Use strong, assured body language (good posture, steady eye contact).
Speak clearly and deliberately, using firm tone and pacing.
Project confidence, even if you feel uncertain.
Real-world example:
Clearly say, “I strongly believe this strategy positions us for success, and here’s why…” Your confidence inspires immediate trust.
Habit 6: Tell Stories to Engage and Inspire
Influential communicators are master storytellers. Stories clarify complex ideas, capture attention, and emotionally connect with your audience.
How to use storytelling effectively:
Share relevant, engaging stories that illustrate your point.
Keep stories concise and clearly structured (beginning, middle, end).
Use vivid language and relatable scenarios to keep attention.
Real-world example:
When emphasizing teamwork, tell a brief story about a successful team overcoming challenges, highlighting the importance of collaboration clearly and vividly.
Habit 7: Continuously Improve and Seek Feedback
Influential communicators never stop improving. They actively seek feedback and continually refine their communication skills.
How to continuously improve:
Regularly ask trusted colleagues or mentors for feedback.
Observe influential communicators you admire and learn from them.
Actively practice and integrate feedback received.
Real-world example:
Ask a trusted colleague after a presentation, “How clearly did I communicate my key messages today? Any suggestions for improvement?” Use this feedback to grow.
Quick Checklist: Adopting Influential Communication Habits
Before your next leadership interaction, quickly confirm:
Am I actively listening and engaging attentively?
Is my communication clear, simple, and jargon-free?
Am I being authentic and open to vulnerability?
Do I demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence?
Am I speaking confidently and with strong conviction?
Have I included relevant, engaging stories?
Am I continuously seeking feedback to improve?
Real-World Scenario: Influential Communication in Action
Imagine leading a team through organizational change:
Active listening:
You carefully hear concerns, paraphrasing to confirm understanding.
Clear communication:
You plainly explain changes and their rationale without jargon.
Authenticity:
You admit, “This will be challenging at first, and it was difficult for me initially, too.”
Empathy:
You say warmly, “I know change can feel stressful, but I’m here to support you through this.”
Confidence and conviction:
You confidently share, “I firmly believe this change will benefit our team greatly.”
Storytelling:
You briefly share an engaging, relevant story illustrating how a similar change benefited another team.
Continuous improvement:
Afterward, you ask for feedback: “How clear and helpful was my communication today? What could I improve?”
Your communication leaves your team feeling heard, inspired, and aligned—fully prepared to embrace change positively.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Habits of Influential Communicators
Influential communication isn’t mysterious or reserved for a lucky few. By actively listening, communicating clearly, showing authenticity, demonstrating empathy, speaking confidently, using storytelling, and continuously seeking feedback, you can quickly enhance your leadership influence and inspire genuine engagement from your team.
Congratulations! You’ve mastered influential communication habits that will powerfully boost your effectiveness as a leader and communicator.
Ready to keep sharpening your communication skills even further? Fantastic—let’s keep going!