Influential Communication: Five Core Qualities That Make Leaders Heard

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.

The Charisma Effect: Five Traits That Make a Captivating Leader

When we hear the word “charisma,” some of us may think of a flirtatious vibe, others a person’s general aura, and still others the ability score from Dungeons & Dragons! I’m here to offer yet another layer to this often used but perhaps misunderstood word: charisma is the invisible energy that draws people in—the presence of personality that, in leaders, inspires trust and creates momentatum. To embody charismatic leadership necessitates beginning with authenticity in order to connect meaningfully with others, because a charismatic leader captivates people with their vision, lives with purpose, and brings out the best in those around them!

Anyone else interested in cultivating charisma that moves beyond a “vibe” and into power of genuine influence? Let’s walk through the five key traits that define charismatic leaders!

1. Substance Over Style—But Not without Vision!

Though colloquial usage of the term might suggest otherwise, charisma does not inherently equate to flashy style. (Though we should go forth and embrace whatever fashion choices we like!) When it comes to charismatic leadership, style may capture initial attention, but substance sustains respect. In other words: charismatic leaders let go of superficial emphasis on appearance and instead foreground integrity and reliability, keeping promises and aligning their actions with personal and professional values. By doing so, they strengthen credibility among their employees and develop impactful long-term influence!

Crucially, however, charismatic leaders are not without vision—they are effective communicators whose words paint a vivid picture of times to come and guide others to see where they belong in this future. Their talk inspires action through the intersection of logic and emotion, because charisma necessitates both qualities!

2. Become Emotionally Grounded

Again, though we may colloquially consider charisma to be linked to flirtation and charm, charisma—at its core—means that people recognize the confident energy surrounding a message. Charismatic leaders are those who are emotionally grounded, developing a confident presence that aligns tone, expression, and intention. From open body language that conveys warmth to eye contact that reveals sincerity, guiding others as a charismatic leader often produces instant connection through confidence! But this captivating confidence comes not from pride but from self-awareness. Leaders that are confident in their values as well as those of their organization are the leaders that radiate a calm, grounded presence. In doing so, the energy—the charisma—they cast empowers others to take concrete steps toward shared goals!

3. Connections from Humility & Compassion

When we consider charisma as presence of personality, it may seem counterintuitive to offer that true charisma blooms from humility. Meaningful influence as leaders stems not from control but from service! Charismatic leaders are those that elevate others and celebrate every contribution, from minor changes to major overhauls. Unsurprisingly, embracing humility encourages trust and loyalty to blossom amongst employees!

On a similar note, charisma cannot exist without compassion—indeed, “compassionless charisma” is a mere shell of what charisma can most fully mean and do. Charismatic leaders are those who remain in touch with their ability to empathize, making an intentional effort to understand the emotions of their team and in turn cultivating a work environment that prioritizes belonging. When everyone feels safe, everyone will thrive!

4. Embrace Self-Regulation

Not only are charismatic leaders emotionally grounded in their confidence, compassion, and humility, but they also possess great skill in emotional self-regulation. Born from emotional intelligence, self-regulation allows leaders to remain composed in high-stress situations and address challenges with insight instead of impulse. Practicing emotional self-regulation also produces leaders that are intentional listeners! Is it a surprise to any of us that listening is the foundation of influential communication from leader to employee? When our teams don’t feel heard, then they won’t be able to achieve their greatest potential. Charismatic leaders are those who listen attentively, valuing every voice in the room and taking time to process comments before responding. In doing so, they build strong relationships and foster improved collaboration!

5. Resilient Commitment to Growth & Optimism

Captivating leaders are also resilient, lifelong learners. “Charisma” is not a static quality—to practice charismatic leadership means continuously refining one’s skills, seeking constructive feedback, and remaining curious about our ever-changing world. And in the midst of this constant change, optimism provides hope and reminds teams that any obstacle can be transformed into an opportunity. Charismatic leaders know how to adapt, emphasizing that setbacks are life lessons, and they lead with the inspiring conviction that progress is always possible!

Becoming a Charismatic Leader

As I mentioned before: charisma is not static—with empathy and self-awareness, the seed of charisma will grow and blossom into a flower full of leadership potential. And when we as leaders both talk the talk and walk the walk, our energy will captivate others, because people gravitate to forces that make them feel inspired, understood, and empowered!

---

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.

Agile Leadership: The Nine Principles Modern Leaders Live By

Agility Is the New Leadership Standard

It’s hard to envision a workplace that doesn’t run on hyperspeed! From the rise of new technology to working across six generations to leading global teams to shifting employee expectations to the constant pursuit of innovation, it hardly feels like an overstatement to say that our workplaces are evolving faster than ever.

In which case… Does anyone else worry about being left behind?

If anyone here can relate to such an anxiety, let me be the first to say: fear not! Today we’re going to walk through what great leadership looks like in a time of constant change.

So, what’s the short version? The TL;DR? you may be wondering. And hey, I certainly can’t criticize the desire to allot our time wisely! In a sentence, the most effective leaders in the workplace right now are those who embrace agile leadership: an adaptive, empowering mindset that integrates flexibility, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

But I suspect most of us here are interested in the details, in diving into the nitty gritty of what it means to embrace true agility as a leader. If you’re ready to learn responsiveness and guide your teams with humility, empathy, and purpose, then read on for eight key qualities of agile leadership!

1. Actions Speak Louder Than Words

It’s only a cliché because it’s so true! Agile leaders embody yet another age-told—and once again, incredibly true!—cliché: be the change you want to see. By modelling curiosity, self-development, and integrity in every interaction with their team, they perform the forward-thinking and reflective behavior they want to inspire. Which isn’t to say that agile leaders cannot issue directives, but rather that they prioritize building their credibility among their employees through presence and consistent action.

How about one more classic adage? (Last one, I promise!) Because agile leaders lead by example, trust becomes the default language of their team. And isn’t that a status quo we’d all like to see?

2. Better Thinking Creates Better Outcomes

We may be told that there’s no such thing as “real” superpowers, and sure, I can only dream of leaping off the ground and remaining afloat in the breeze. But—and hear me out—reflection, too, is a superpower! At least in terms of agile leadership.

Most (if not all) leaders value high-quality thinking that results in meaningful action that improves the bottom line of their organization. Leaders who practice agility, however, engage in purposeful reflection: pausing to analyze problems from multiple angles, inviting critical input from their employees who have worked most closely with the issue at hand. As such, reflection allows leaders to transform data into knowledge into wisdom, ensuring the final decisions are both informed and inclusive!

3. Feedback Fuels Growth

I speak from personal experience as a leadership consultant when I say that the best leaders are learners first. These leaders practice agility by seeking feedback not just vertically up from their superiors, but also horizontally from their peers and vertically down from their team members! After all, diversifying where we source feedback means we are more likely to receive constructive, well-rounded comments—and embracing agility means acting on this feedback, too. (I lied, let’s have another appropriately true cliché: to an agile leader, every voice matters.)

Additionally, agile leaders create safe environments in which honest feedback is not merely welcome but becomes the standard—and not to mention that for agile leaders, mistakes become learning opportunities. If we cannot err, we cannot learn, and we certainly won’t have any reason to receive feedback!

4. Purpose Gives Work Meaning

With the constant corporate cries for efficiency efficiency efficiency!, it has become frighteningly easy to forget that our teams—and ourselves—crave meaning in our workplace, not (or at least not only) metrics. Embracing agile leadership necessitates identifying and articulating a purpose that unites and motivates our employees. This purpose includes connecting organizational goals to human values! In doing so, we turn mere “tasks” into meaningful contributions, arbitrary “roles” into intentional missions.

Though it probably goes without saying, I’ll say it because it bears repeating: purpose fuels commitment and preserves—even accelerates—momentum. Providing purpose is thus a key aim for an agile leader!

5. Leadership Lives Everywhere

In an organization that foregrounds agile leadership, I think we all know that leadership won’t be confined to official titles. Agile leaders cultivate leadership skills at every level, both formally and informally mentoring employees on how to take initiative and ownership. The best part of this multi-level guidance is that empowering emerging leaders accelerates individual and company adaptability! After all, when everyone leads, the organization learns faster—a positive feedback loop.

6. Empowerment Builds Trust

Allow me to share a kernel of wisdom developed from my own leadership experience: control limits potential. Empowerment releases it.

In other words, agile leaders don’t hoard authority! They give their teams autonomy to experiment and forge their own paths. Importantly, agile leaders offer direction and support without micromanaging their employees, ensuring their teams see the forest for the trees while also having the freedom to traverse the metaphorical woods themselves. Finding this balance builds both trust and accountability between leaders and their teams!

7. Collaboration Multiplies Success

Speaking of effective workplace delegation, another key quality of agile leadership is collaboration. On a core level, agile leaders recognize that diverse teams perform better than isolated experts because they have the built-in opportunity of bouncing off one another’s unique ideas. As such, agile leaders prioritize three principles for effective collaboration: 1) forgiveness over finger-pointing, 2) curiosity over criticism, and 3) collective progress over individual perfection. The Jackson 5 were right—easy as 1, 2, 3 indeed!

8. Great Ideas Can Come from Anywhere

This last quality is perhaps most important: agile leaders recognize that excellent ideas can come from anywhere, from anyone, and thus they embrace the mentality that innovation is everyone’s job. And since emotion is the fuel for innovation, agile leaders create spaces where their team members feel safe to express themselves—creativity blossoms only where the metaphorical soil is regularly cared for!

In turn, agile leaders know to listen widely, staying open to ideas and inklings from every corner of their organization. While most of us are probably familiar with active listening, agile leaders take this skill to the next level by not only hearing a variety of ideas but also taking the time to explain why certain ideas could not be incorporated into the organization, thus ensuring their employees’ creativity never feels dismissed.

How to Apply Agile Leadership Today

Now that we understand what constitutes agile leadership, the next question is simple: what steps can we take today, right here, right now in order to start becoming an agile leader? As with any best practice, remember to start small, focus on consistency, and act with intentionality:

1. Model humility by displaying how learning is part of leadership.

2. Invite feedback by asking your team what’s working and what’s not.

3. Empower autonomy by delegating outcomes, not just tasks.

4. Foster reflection by ending meetings with thought-provoking questions, such as “What did we learn today?”

5. Lead with empathy: never forget to put people before process.

As these practices transform into habits, agility will become culture. Trust me: the work will be worth it!

---

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.

Staying Productive during Fears of the Coronavirus

These past few weeks have grown increasingly tumultuous as fears of the coronavirus have spread across the world. With this global pandemic, we can find ourselves growing anxious over our health and the people we love. Additionally, the state of the economy may lead to increasing pressures on our businesses, causing strain for both managers and employees. Many of my clients have been reaching out to me for advice, and these are a few of the actionable steps we can take to continue progressing our personal and professional lives during these times.

Be careful about media consumption.

It is necessary to keep up to date with ongoing situations, but an overload of social media and stressful information may breed anxiety and foster a negative emotional state. My personal stress levels constantly increased with the amount of news I consumed, causing me to grow anxious about things I could not control. Viewing news, social media, and other information is something we need to be wise about during this time. Evaluate your mental health and determine how you can receive necessary information while also managing your emotional wellbeing.

What can you do to assist your employer?

With the recent economic trends, businesses around the globe have been severely impacted by COVID-19. These times can be increasingly stressful for upper-level managers in your companies. In an effort to maintain productivity and ease their strain, think about ways to show your value. Reevaluate features of your job and unique ideas you have had in the past to show your employer that you are truly invested in the success of the company. Highlight changes that might increase productivity through virtual interfaces or improve team communication. By assisting your managers, you showcase your commitment to the company while also helping your organization move through these trying times.

Completing old tasks.

Many companies are allowing individuals to work from home in an effort to decrease the spread of the coronavirus. With decreased commute times and slower business, you may have more free time to catch up on old tasks and improve upon your professional skills. Take the initiative to go through past to-do lists and complete jobs that had been left by the wayside. In addition to working through forgotten tasks, use this time to learn new skills which will assist your future professional growth. By utilizing this extra time efficiently, we can further ourselves and our businesses through dedicated work and productivity.

Help those around you.

It is important to think about the individuals who were unable to rush to grocery stores to buy food and cleaning supplies. Safely reach out to those in your community who may need help to stay afloat during this global crisis. Additionally, by being a listening ear and communicating with loved ones, you may comfort those around you. As a helping hand and a good friend, you may lessen the burden others are feeling and help your community remain united through this pandemic.

Learn from this experience.

As with most experiences we have had in our lifetimes, we can learn from the trials and tribulations of the coronavirus. From improving our virtual communication skills to taking actionable steps to increase our professional toolbox, there is a multitude of opportunities available for us to continue growing and progressing. What can you do in these times to make yourself a better employee, manager, or business owner?

I hope you and your loved ones remain safe and healthy during this time. Through these tips, we will be able to control our fears about COVID-19 and continue to move forward with our personal and professional lives.

---

Dima Ghawi is the founder of a global talent development company with a primary mission for advancing individuals in leadership. Through keynote speeches, training programs and executive coaching, Dima has empowered thousands of professionals across the globe to expand their leadership potential. Reach her at DimaGhawi.com and BreakingVases.com.