What to Look for in Leadership: Communication

If there is one critical trait that is often overlooked in leadership, it is the ability to effectively communicate. When hiring leaders for our organizations, we often focus on the business end of things. How will the leaders move the company forward?

The reality is, however, that organizations are made up people. If the leader you bring in cannot move the people forward, he or she will not be able to move the business forward. And, in order to move people, the leader must be able to communicate.

When asked what the most frustrating thing is about their managers, people in the industry will often say it's a lack of clarity. Leaders have expectations that often don't translate to their people. As a result, nothing gets done. If you want your organization to be led effectively, look for leaders who make it a priority to communicate well with their people.

David Lykken is 40-year industry veteran who has been an owner operator of three mortgage banking companies and a software company. As co-founder and managing partner of Mortgage Banking Solutions, David consults on virtually all aspects of mortgage banking with special emphasis executive leadership development, corporate strategic direction and implementation, as well as mergers and acquisitions. A regular contributor on CNBC and Fox Business News, David also hosts a successful weekly radio program, “Lykken on Lending,” that is heard each Monday at noon (Central Standard Time) by thousands of mortgage professionals. Recently, he started producing one-minute videos called “Today’s Mortgage Minute” that appears on hundreds of television, radio and newspaper Web sites daily across America. He may be reached by phone at (512) 977-9900, ext. 10, or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].