Communication can’t be a one-way street

Communication displayed by exceptional leaders is never a one-way street. It’s characterised by intimacy, inclusivity, interactivity and intentionality; four communication pillars fostering trust, transparency and honesty.

For an organisation to thrive, its communication with its employees must be strong. This was the foundation of Professor Boris Groysberg’s Leadership Academy seminar to Ray White leaders during Leadership Week 2024. Professor Groysberg of the Harvard Business School has been the enduring drawcard of the Leadership Academy for a decade, and this year’s Leadership Week event was no exception.

Ray White’s Leadership Academy goes to the heart of its dynamic approach to fostering its agents and business owners. It recognises that everyone approaches their job differently, and their leadership styles. It provides advice from the experts, but empowers the individual to take what inspires them and implement it into their own teams.

Professor Groysberg examined two Harvard Business School case studies, with one focusing on mental endurance and health, and excellence, with another focusing on working well in a team and getting the best out of people.

At the heart of these case studies was the delegates being asked to understand what characteristics they possessed, or needed to cultivate, in order to achieve not only individual excellence but excellence within a group. Most notably, communication was at the core of both.

Speaking specifically to leaders of teams within the organisation, it was clear that displaying four “I’s” - intimacy, inclusivity, interactivity and intentionality were exemplary of successful communication. This communication style prioritises:

• A shared dialogue at all levels, rather than a top-down approach

• Participation from all employees, rather than heavily controlled messaging

• Focus on organisational goals and common understanding

• Both formal and informal

• Proactive, rather than reactive

The goal of successfully implementing the four ‘I’s’ is trust, an exchange of ideas, an alignment of goals, and ensuring that dialogue serves organisation goals.

Examples of great communicators are Franklin Roosevelt and Churchill, who would address issues with their constituents directly with simple language (in FDR’s case) and interact among the masses, asking questions and understanding the vox populi (in Churchill’s case).

Within the real estate industry, and the corporate world more broadly, there are so many management styles and coaching tools high performers use or promote to get the most out of their employees. The Leadership Academy, and Professor Groysberg in particular, underlined the importance of simply bringing things back to basics. People want to feel valued, trusted and respected - that is the best way to get them to reach their full potential. Elevated communication is the foundation to building trust and respect - leadership is a conversation.