Leaders play a crucial role in creating clarity within an organization. Yet, time constraints and lack of accurate information can often make this challenging. What, then, forms the foundation of clear and effective communication? Consider a simple analogy: how often must a washing powder advertisement air before it resonates? The answer depends not just on frequency but also on the target audience. Similarly, what may seem clear to a manager could be misinterpreted by employees, leading to more confusion than clarity.
A common struggle for leaders is ensuring their messages create genuine understanding. Imagine a CEO addressing employees at an annual meeting, announcing, “Our main goal for next year is to improve RAROCAR.” Without context, employees may wonder: What does RAROCAR mean? Who is responsible for achieving it? And if this is the main goal, what are the secondary ones? For true clarity, employees need context and an understanding of both broad and specific objectives.
Leadership is an ongoing process, not a single moment. There are many great resources on clarity in leadership, like Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Clear Leadership by Gervase R. Bushe. But while these books offer valuable guidance, effective leadership also requires the right tools. Day-to-day activities like meetings, training, and tools to help managers convey their message and engage employees are crucial. Employees themselves – especially managers – are often the best communicators within an organization, but they need to be engaged and developed.
Managers must also choose the right communication channels, testing the clarity of their messages and repeating them as needed. When employees understand what’s expected of them and how their work aligns with the organization’s goals, everyone can move toward common objectives more effectively.
The Best Ideas Come from Within
What can employees expect from their leaders – and vice versa? Research shows that the biggest potential for organizational growth often lies in developing mid- and entry-level managers, who tend to be the most vulnerable links in the management chain. A weak link in leadership can lead to inevitable confusion. Leaders sometimes assume they “know enough” based on years of experience, but the world and its workforce are constantly evolving. Practices that worked a decade ago may not be as effective today.
For example, Toyota’s rise from post-war challenges to global success was driven by a culture of continuous improvement or Kaizen. Toyota and other forward-thinking companies learned that employees, not external consultants, often offer the best ideas for improving work processes. In Kaizen, the manager’s role isn’t just to direct but to listen, involving employees in identifying solutions and optimizing workflows
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Clear leadership is a process of inclusion. Leaders who know their role in this process and work collaboratively with employees create a strong foundation for cooperation and shared understanding.
Staying Relevant
Today’s pressing topics – like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives – can’t be ignored. AI can increase efficiency, and ESG principles foster accountability, but these goals must be woven into daily operations, requiring active employee involvement and change management. The most successful implementations are led by managers who inspire and guide their teams through change. Leaders must understand how these initiatives impact day-to-day work and align with employees’ personal values and expectations. If an organization decides not to prioritize AI or ESG, it’s essential to communicate the reasoning behind this decision transparently. Clear, open communication helps employees and customers understand the company’s direction and what they can expect.
Clarity as a Competitive Advantage
In a world where change is constant – from global crises to daily developments – managers must be able to respond, creating clarity so that the organization’s direction, goals, and plans are understood. Strong collaboration across departments is also essential to ensuring alignment at all levels.
Creating clarity is both a challenge and an opportunity. Leaders who master this art cultivate a resilient, change-ready organization and establish themselves as champions of quality leadership. When a leader invests time and energy into creating clarity, they inspire a team of motivated and engaged colleagues ready to move forward.
Martin Rajasalu, November 2024
Estonian HR and People Development Association, PARE defines leadership clarity as follows:
A good leader:
• Has a clear vision – Knows where they want to go, what they aim to achieve, and who will benefit.
• Monitors progress – Holds themselves and their team accountable, inspiring performance daily.
• Makes timely decisions – Adjusts strategy and manages change thoughtfully and inclusively.
• Encourages creativity – Drives innovation and supports creative thinking.
• Develops their team – Invests in the growth and skill-building of their employees.
