Regardless of where you sit in your organization, you can use these steps to crush it in your everyday communications.

Here you go, go, go!

When we lead from above the line we are curious and committed to learning (or understanding). When we lead from below the line we are defensive and committed to being right.

We don’t pay enough attention to endings and beginnings. Or maybe, we pay the wrong kind of attention to them.

Feeling a little meh about the big goals and intentions you started the year with?

If yes, you’re not alone.

Explaining can be super useful, like when you’re teaching someone how to do something or you need to provide context to solve a problem. Explaining to defend yourself by muddying the water or deflecting responsibility is not useful.

But it happens all the time.

When Chris Swanson, a sheriff in Flint Michigan, approached protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s death he said, “The only reason we’re here is to make sure you have a voice…We want to be with you all, for real.” He didn’t wear a helmet or carry a baton. He joined the walking crowd to cheers and hugs and gratitude. He led.