Think you’re communicating enough as a leader?
Think again.
New research from Stanford finds under-communication is 10x more likely to be criticized than over-communication—and it comes at a steep cost. 🧵
Think again.
New research from Stanford finds under-communication is 10x more likely to be criticized than over-communication—and it comes at a steep cost. 🧵
The setup:
Researchers analyzed 2,717 real leadership assessments.
Leaders weren’t most often dinged for being negative…
They were overwhelmingly criticized for not saying enough.
Researchers analyzed 2,717 real leadership assessments.
Leaders weren’t most often dinged for being negative…
They were overwhelmingly criticized for not saying enough.
The results:
Leaders were nearly 10x more likely to be called out for under-communicating than for over-communicating.
The lesson?
Silence isn’t neutral. It’s damaging.
Leaders were nearly 10x more likely to be called out for under-communicating than for over-communicating.
The lesson?
Silence isn’t neutral. It’s damaging.
Why under-communicating backfires:
In follow-up studies, employees saw under-communicative leaders as:
— Less empathetic
— Less competent
— Less trustworthy
In short: they lost confidence in their boss.
In follow-up studies, employees saw under-communicative leaders as:
— Less empathetic
— Less competent
— Less trustworthy
In short: they lost confidence in their boss.
And it’s not just perception—it impacts performance.
When employees felt their leaders didn’t communicate enough and didn’t match their preferences…
They rated those leaders lower on empathy and leadership ability.
When employees felt their leaders didn’t communicate enough and didn’t match their preferences…
They rated those leaders lower on empathy and leadership ability.
The fix is simple: Over-communicate.
Even if you think you're repeating yourself...
Even if it feels like “too much”...
Say it again. Then say it again.
Clarity builds confidence.
Even if you think you're repeating yourself...
Even if it feels like “too much”...
Say it again. Then say it again.
Clarity builds confidence.
This isn’t about flooding people with noise.
It’s about alignment.
Good leaders check:
✅ Did I say it clearly?
✅ Did I say it often enough?
✅ Does my team feel informed—not confused?
It’s about alignment.
Good leaders check:
✅ Did I say it clearly?
✅ Did I say it often enough?
✅ Does my team feel informed—not confused?
Bottom line:
Your silence speaks louder than you think.
When in doubt, over-communicate.
It’s not annoying—it’s leadership.
#leadership #communication #danielpink #management
Your silence speaks louder than you think.
When in doubt, over-communicate.
It’s not annoying—it’s leadership.
#leadership #communication #danielpink #management
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