Does it go without saying that influential communication is less about talking and more about creating connection, inspiring trust, and moving people toward meaningful action? Well, maybe it does go without saying—but perhaps it’s important to say it anyway. After all, every great leader recognizes that communication is the bridge between vision and impact. Throughout my years of coaching executives and guiding emerging leaders, I have witnessed that those who truly influence others share five core qualities—qualities that can be learned, exercised, and refined by anyone who desires to become a more influential communicator!
So, speaking of a bridge—let’s walk through exactly what it takes to build the pillars of support that uphold the bridge of influential communication!
1. Clarity
To little surprise: influential communication begins with clarity, because a clear message serves to eliminate confusion. (Otherwise, how else are people supposed to understand what we need them to say or do?) Leaders who cultivate clarity are leaders who create confidence in their teams!
To exercise clarity in communication, consider the following questions before speaking: What is my purpose? What outcome do I want to inspire? How do I want to deliver this message? When the message is focused, the words become powerful tools of leadership!
2. Confidence
Speaking of creating confidence among our teams, confidence is additionally the magnetic force that captivates people across our personal and professional lives. Importantly, however, confidence in communication must not emerge from ego but from self-awareness and preparation, else we risk displaying arrogance instead of stability!
To exercise confidence in communication, consider the following physical signals: maintain an open posture to signal trust; maintain consistent eye contact to signal respect (though consider varying cultural norms!); and speak with a calm tone to signal emotional intelligence. Conveying confidence in such a manner will both show conviction in whatever message we seek to get across while simultaneously inviting others to join the dialogue. After all, communication is a two-way street!
3. Credibility
As an influential communicator, we must also keep in mind that credibility is the foundation of trust. (I mean, think about it—how are we to meaningfully communicate with someone and embrace shared influence between one another without trusting the other person in the first place? Perhaps it’s just me, but I don’t take kindly to “advice” from those who don’t know me!) Consider, in other words, that people are more likely to follow (and respect) leaders whose words match their actions—not merely talking the talk but also walking the walk. People listen to leaders who display their expertise without hubris but with integrity.
To exercise credibility in communication, we ought to keep in mind the following: for one, do research before making a claim! Once equipped with education, we then can own our message—rather than being wishy-washy—and be transparent about our intentions (clarity and credibility are connected!). Credibility means speaking from experience, and when we don’t know the answer to a question or the solution to a conflict, we admit our lack of knowledge with honesty rather than shame. Authenticity improves influential communication!
4. Concision
Ah, concision—a core quality of influential communication that I myself struggle with time and time again! But influential communicators are those who respect time and attention, and embracing concision means delivering one’s message in a straightforward manner without unnecessary complexity. (Note the use of “unnecessary”! Concision doesn’t mean oversimplifying nuanced topics—it means not bogging down conversations with details that don’t matter.) Concise leaders command attention with ideas that resonate long after they are put into the world!
To exercise concision in communication, remember to remove clutter and focus on meaning. A precise message is a memorable message!
5. Compassion
Clarity, confidence, credibility, and concision are crucial, yes. But the most influential communicators lead with compassion. Many of us likely heard in our childhood that “words have power” when we said something unkind in the heat of an argument, a reminder that what we say can cut someone deep, and this saying is no less true now. Our words carry emotion, and with that emotion comes the power to choose empathy and deepen connection—or, to choose coldness and destroy it. (I imagine I don’t need to say which path we should travel down!) Without compassion, communication remains transactional rather than relational, meaning leaders must speak with care and understanding to ensure that people feel valued and heard.
Remember: compassion makes influential communication sustainable. And remember why: because compassion builds loyalty rooted in connection and trust.
Becoming an Influential Communicator
Like all skills, the art of influential communication is a lifelong practice. Every presentation, every speech, every conversation offers an opportunity for us to exercise and refine these five qualities! When we embrace clarity, confidence, credibility, concision, and compassion, we will elevate not only our message but also everyone on the receiving end, because influential, communicative leadership begins when our words and our purpose align—when our message comes straight from the heart.
Now go forth, embrace these five core qualities of influential communication, and speak your truth into the world!
Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company with a primary mission for advancing individuals in leadership. As the creator of the Next Level Leader framework, she empowers professionals to break barriers and elevate their leadership potential. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. In addition, she provides guidance to business executives to develop diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies and to implement a multi-year plan for advancing quality leaders from within the organization. Reach her at DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.
