14. Be Better At Work: How to Communicate Better With Coworkers and Employees

Crisis Leadership

Effective leadership during crises requires adaptability and clear communication. Robert Sutton highlights the importance of leaders providing predictability, understanding, and control to their teams, even when delivering difficult news like layoffs or pay cuts. He shares an example of his dean, Jennifer Whittem, who exemplified these qualities during the COVID crisis by maintaining open communication and acknowledging uncertainties.

There's a difference between what you do and how you do it.

--- Robert Sutton

This approach helps teams navigate uncertainty more effectively and fosters a sense of stability and trust 1 2.

   

Empathetic Leadership

Empathy and psychological safety are crucial components of effective leadership. Matt Abrahams and Robert Sutton discuss how leaders like Jennifer Whittem create supportive environments by being empathetic and down-to-earth. Sutton references research by Amy Edmondson on psychological safety, emphasizing its role in encouraging open communication and reducing errors.

If people feel safe, they tend to feel better about contributing in meetings.

--- Robert Sutton

By fostering a culture where team members feel safe to speak up, leaders can enhance team performance and innovation 3 4.