Ah…communication, probably the single most helpful and yet often most frustrating part of being a leader. You gotta do it. It’s the only way the people beneath you will know the how, when, where, and what you are leading, but let’s face it, words get misconstrued all the time. And sadly, being a mind reader doesn’t exist outside the realm of fantasy. How do you ensure your words are reaching the necessary level of understanding for your endeavor to be successful?

First, make sure you use language familiar to the person you are dealing with. You may be the smartest, most qualified leader the world has ever seen, but if someone can’t understand what you need them to do, your knowledge and leadership is worthless.

Be willing to look for other avenues of communication. You might literally have to paint someone a picture to get your point across. That shouldn’t bother you—we all have different strengths and ways we learn. A leader who is willing to try every avenue will eventually find success with those they work with.

I could go on and on about communicating, but I will leave you with this one last point. You’re going to make mistakes in this department, I promise you. Picking the perfect course of communication for everyone you work with, every time, is not possible, so don’t beat yourself up. A leader who never gives up, never truly fails.