Episode 16: Spokesperson, Disseminator, Liaison
Communication is one of the most vital skills for any leader, yet one of the most challenging. In this episode, Dr. JBT explores three essential dimensions of leadership communication: downward, upward, and across.
Disseminator (Downward): As a leader, your team depends on you to share information that helps them succeed. Think of yourself as a lighthouse keeper - shining light on what’s ahead so your team can navigate with clarity and confidence. Without that light, confusion and frustration set in.
Spokesperson (Upward): Your team needs you to be their microphone - amplifying their accomplishments, advocating for resources, and voicing their challenges so decision-makers hear them. If you don’t speak up for your team, who will?
Liaison (Across): No team operates in isolation. Organizations are interconnected systems, much like the digestive system of the body. Each part must work together or the whole suffers. Leaders must communicate across functions, share insights, and align strategies to prevent breakdowns and inefficiencies.
Through powerful analogies and real-life examples, Dr. JBT shows why these three roles are non-negotiable for effective leadership.
Key Takeaways:
Be a lighthouse: Shine clarity and build trust through consistent dissemination.
Be a microphone: Amplify your team’s voice to secure recognition and resources.
Be a system-thinker: Act as a liaison to strengthen interdependence across teams.
Leadership is about more than managing tasks; it’s about stewarding communication to empower people and strengthen the whole organization.
