It’s a familiar story: a high-performing employee gets promoted to a managerial role.
They know the business inside-out – and they’re exceptional at what they do. But once they’re leading a team, cracks start to show. Deadlines slip. Team morale dips. Productivity stalls.
The problem? Too many managers excel in technical skills but fall short in one essential area: communication.
The myth of the ‘natural leader’
For years, we’ve clung to the myth that great managers are born, not made. But the truth is, ‘natural leadership’ is rare.
Most managers aren’t born with the skills to motivate, communicate or resolve conflicts. They’re promoted because they’re experts in their field. Not because they’re ready to lead.
This results in managers who:
- Are excellent doers but struggle to delegate
- Know every detail of a project but can’t communicate it clearly to their team
- Hold high expectations but lack the skills to inspire or coach others to reach them
Communication: the vital missing skill from management
According to the 2024 State of Business Communication report, miscommunication costs businesses an estimated AUD $1.9 trillion annually due to lost productivity, project delays and low staff morale.
New managers often don’t realise just how much of their role depends on clear, empathetic and persuasive communication.
But without these skills, they might deliver feedback poorly, fail to inspire their teams – or leave employees in the dark about their expectations.
So, why do so many new managers struggle to communicate?
It comes down to these three areas
- Lack of training: Many managers receive little to no formal communication training before stepping into leadership.
- Information overload: They’re handling both old responsibilities and new leadership tasks, which leads to rushed, unclear communication.
- Pressure to perform: New managers are often under pressure to prove themselves, resulting in a directive approach instead of a collaborative one.
When communication gaps cost your business
When managers can’t communicate well, it has ripple effects across the entire workplace. And even out to your clients.
Here are just a few ways poor leadership communication hits your bottom line:
- Reduced productivity: When teams aren’t clear on tasks or timelines, productivity drops and projects drag.
- Low team morale: If your managers can’t rally their teams or build trust, employee engagement and morale plummet.
- Increased staff turnover: Employees are far more likely to leave when they feel unsupported or disconnected from their manager.
Building better leaders through communication training
The good news? Communication skills can be taught, practised and refined.
CSA’s The Voice of Leadership workshop gives new managers the tools they need to become effective, inspiring leaders. With the right training, your managers can learn to:
- Delegate effectively: Knowing how to communicate tasks clearly and confidently frees up managers’ time and empowers their teams.
- Deliver feedback with impact: Constructive feedback is critical to team growth – but it’s an art that requires a balance of clarity and empathy.
- Build trust and rapport: Managers who communicate well foster stronger team relationships, leading to higher engagement and performance.
Effective leadership is about more than just keeping things on track. It’s about setting the tone, inspiring others – and building a team that works cohesively. By investing in leadership communication training, you can turn technically proficient managers into true leaders. Learn more about our course, The Voice of Leadership.