The best leaders aren’t the smartest in the room
They’re the best communicators.

Early in my career, I made communication my focus.
That single shift changed everything.

I started leading cross-functional teams not because I had the most experience but because I could unite perspectives, draw out ideas, and create trust.

Communication builds alignment, trust, and innovation.
But most leaders still wing it.

We ramble. We stumble. We stay silent.
Not for lack of ideas; but for lack of frameworks.

Here are six frameworks that help you communicate with more impact:

1️⃣ The Three Levels of Conversation
Move from transactional to transformational dialogue.
→ Level 1: Tasks and facts
→ Level 2: Feelings and perspectives
→ Level 3: Shared meaning and trust

2️⃣ PREP Model
Structure your thoughts clearly before you speak.
→ Point → Reason → Example → Point
Simple. Decisive. Unforgettable.

3️⃣ STATE Framework
Handle emotion-heavy conversations with calm and persuasion.
→ Share facts
→ Tell your story
→ Ask for their view
→ Talk tentatively
→ Encourage testing

4️⃣ The 3Ws: What, So What, Now What
Deliver updates that move people to act.
→ What happened
→ Why it matters
→ What happens next

5️⃣ NVC (Nonviolent Communication)
Turn tension into understanding.
→ Observation → Feeling → Need → Request
Removes blame. Builds empathy.

6️⃣ COIN Model
Give feedback that drives growth, not resentment.
→ Context → Observation → Impact → Next step

Communication isn’t a “soft skill.”
It’s the skill that determines whether your ideas get traction or get lost.

Try one of these frameworks this week and notice how differently people respond.