Communication is the cornerstone of leadership, but you know what else matters? Not sounding like a robot or—worse—like someone who talks endlessly without saying anything meaningful. A good leader knows how to talk, but they also know how to listen.
A bad leader? Well, they’re often the main characters in the coffee-break horror stories. Here are some examples for both inspiration—and caution.

Message Clarity
Good Leader: “Team, we have a goal! We need to boost efficiency by 20% over the next three months. Here’s the plan: first, we’ll analyze the processes, then implement three small changes, and finally, track the results. Are you in?”
➡️ Result: The team leaves the room smiling and feeling like they can conquer the world.
Bad Leader: “We need to fix something. Come up with an idea.”
➡️ Result: Confused stares, awkward silence, and someone discreetly Googling “how to improve productivity.”
Active Listening
Good Leader: When an employee raises an issue, the leader listens patiently, nods, and responds: “So, you’re short on tools? Okay, let’s see what we have and how I can help.”
➡️ Result: The employee leaves feeling like they work for a superhero with a cape of empathy.
Bad Leader: “You’re short on tools? I’m short on vacation days—so what?”
➡️ Result: The employee starts considering a transfer to the customer support department.
Feedback
Good Leader: “The presentation didn’t include all the data we needed, but we can fix that. Here’s a format you can use. I know you’ve got great ideas, and next time it’ll be top-notch.”
➡️ Result: The employee thinks: “Wow, my boss not only gave me advice but also encouraged me!”
Bad Leader: “This presentation? Might as well have just sent a bunch of pictures with no text.”
➡️ Result: The employee starts pondering a career change… Maybe tomato farming?
What Makes a Good Leader's Communication Effective?
Clarity: They speak like humans, not like washing machine manuals. -
Empathy: Their message doesn’t feel like “shut up and work” but rather “I’m here for you.” -
Consistency: When they say “the team matters,” they show it—not just with words. -
Humour: Laughter brings people together and makes tight deadlines easier to handle. -
Listening: They know there’s a reason we have two ears and one mouth.
Burger Without Buns?
A leader who doesn’t communicate well can be as dangerous as a GPS constantly yelling, “Make a U-turn at the next intersection!” It’s all about trust and connection. Studies show that teams with leaders who communicate clearly and with a touch of humour perform better. And who doesn’t want to be part of a successful, positive story? If you want to be a leader people respect, be someone who knows how to listen, who can articulate what they want clearly, and—every now and then—someone who can throw in a good joke.
A leader without humour? That’s like burger kebabs without buns — it’s just not right.
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