EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP 1

Effective Leadership & Communication Strategies

Jacob A. Steichen
Siena Heights University
Organizational Culture & Communication – LDR630-OB
November 30, 2023
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Effective Leadership Communication Strategies

Effective leadership communication strategies are designed to avoid problematic behaviors while

prioritizing creative problem-solving throughout the organizational culture. This individual

research paper identifies and explores the four conceptual blocks outlined in the work of Whetten

& Cameron (2003). Acknowledgment of these undesirable traits is the first step toward building

a better approach to leadership. The research was then focused on core processes that can be

utilized to foster creative, innovative, and proficient organizations. Mindful, artistically oriented,

and authentic leadership can raise the potential of an organization through non-traditional

communication practices.

Introduction

The primary objective of this research is to identify and analyze common conceptual

blocks that limit the potential of leaders and their organizations. The four major blocks

associated with a lack of creative problem-solving are labeled constancy, commitment,

compression, and complacency. This individual research paper will look to define the conceptual

blocks, how they impact organizations, and why they can persist. Secondarily, research has

produced effective strategies.

Constancy– is defined as a singular approach to handling problems. It is rooted in a natural

tendency to consistently practice a proven method and be closed off to secondary means to find

resolutions. Leaders who are guilty of constancy lock in on a single perspective of a problem and

ardently pursue a solution to that problem until resolved. These leaders lack the mindfulness and

situational awareness to consider alternatives. This conceptual block surfaces in leaders with a

lack of ability or an unwillingness to expand beyond a single-thinking approach. Creative

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solutions are often found beyond the limits of a single language or a simple way of looking at a

problem.

Commitment- is defined as an attachment to a perspective, a way of solving problems, or a

chosen solution. Creative problem-solving requires openness to new ideas, rejection of

stereotypes, and an awareness of commonalities, for these reasons, commitment to a set point of

view can be a tremendous obstacle for leaders. Stereotyping a problem based on unrelated

previous experiences leads to a tendency to force solutions within the premature analysis of the

problem. Similarly, when leaders refuse to link commonalities causes a barrier for creative

solutions.

Compression- is defined as reducing problems, making assumptions, and resisting the pursuit of

further information. This conceptual block is simplified as an unwarranted narrow focus on

problems. A leader with a compression of ideas creates or clings to false assumptions. This

constraining thought eliminates any possibility of gathering all data, filtering out irrelevant

information, or identifying the root of a given problem.

Complacency- is defined as a tendency to know what you are dealing with, a lack of questioning,

and having a bias toward thinking. A natural hesitancy to expose ignorance predisposes some

leaders to avoid asking questions. This conceptual block is an ego-driven problem that results in

a lack of inquisitiveness. Complacency is also found in leaders that lack an appreciation of deep

thinking (Whetton & Cameron, 2003).

Effective Leadership Traits

Managers, executives, and leaders are problem solvers that communicate solutions within

a group. The effectiveness of their messages, or solutions, is dependent on their natural and

acquired skills. Interpersonal relationships and communication are the foundation of

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organizational culture. With that in mind, healthy and productive relationships are paramount to

building successful organizations. The research conducted below is focused on productive

strategies that consider the conceptual blocks previously highlighted. These influential strategies

include the proper framing of a problem, using an artistic approach to leadership, the

development of critical thinkers, creative collaboration in groups, and the impact of life

experiences on individual wisdom.

Framing a Problem

Leaders need to approach complex problems with a clear understanding of what the root

problem is. It is an ineffective strategy to focus on symptoms, ignore stakeholders, and ask all

the necessary questions to best frame the problem. Complicated and novel problems require

added effort by the entire organization to narrowly define the issue. Properly framing a problem

requires deliberate analysis, open communication, and an acceptance of truths. It is problematic

for leaders to rely on past experiences and false assumptions. Stakeholder perspectives must be

heard and not taken for granted. Unilateral or groupthink-originated solutions will often overlook

areas of concern identified by other perspectives. By using effective storytelling strategies,

leaders can properly and comprehensibly frame a problem for others to better understand.

(Chevallier et al.,2023)

Artistic Approach to Leadership

Management should be thought of as an art. Effective leaders embrace the art of

communication to align an organization through plausible narratives. Through deliberate and

active exchanges of ideas, leaders can artistically craft meaningful processes and initiatives that

are appropriately received by the organization. At the same time, those with power must avoid a
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singular perspective on any given issue to ensure that nothing is overlooked or misjudged.

Another critical function of management is to resist urges to use previous solutions or processes

that may have worked when dealing with novel situations. Artistic appreciation is a style of

leadership that goes beyond objective and rational communication. Leaders are better situated by

tapping into their senses and having a broader perspective that includes non-traditional

communication with team members. An organizational culture that is rooted in the senses and

perceptions of the team will help with decision-making processes. Mindful and aesthetically

aware leaders can use a different approach to complex problems and acquiring solutions. They

can be guided by their interpretations of the senses and influences of the organization.

Developing vision and shared meaning can be effectively produced by a leader tuned into the art

of communicating (Haden et al., 2014).

Critical Thinking

Effective leadership is not achieved through chance and requires mindful critical

thinking. Developing and cultivating leaders should be a primary function of any organization. A

leader should understand the purpose of thinking and how to critically think. They must have the

ability to explore deeper meanings and evaluate situations from all perspectives to avoid false

assumptions. Leaders must also possess the ability to ask the right questions and narrow down

the root problems being faced. Effective use of information is a trait that a leader can utilize to

eliminate wasted time. Access to information is often overwhelming and can be a huge

distraction in the decision-making process. It is not beneficial to get lost in information or delay

the implementation of a viable solution. Critical thinkers can sort through information to keep

moving forward. Decisions are made by individuals who have a deep understanding of concepts.

A leader with a full understanding of the concept at play can be instrumental in developing the
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understanding of the team. It takes critical thinking to properly interpret and analyze the

assumptions linked to a set of circumstances. The skill set associated with interpretation is a

critical component of effective leaders. Critical thinkers understand how to process assumptions

to develop facts. This function is important in the determination of how to approach problems or

situations. Leaders must also assess their point-of-view as well as the possible contradictory

point-of-view of others in the organization. Truthful exploration of various points of view can

help expose the best path forward. Acknowledging the implications and consequences of a

decision is a critical last step for a critical-thinking decision-maker. It is irresponsible to lead a

team down any path without a thorough understanding of what could lie ahead. Effective leaders

have the needed discipline to eliminate risk when possible and predict the possibilities of a

worst-case scenario (Kellum, 2022)

Collaboration

Collaboration and innovation within organizations are dependent on the ways and means

by which groups are led. Collaborative creativity is the product of sharing ideas, open dialogue,

and diversity in perceptions. Leaders can empower team members through proven methods and

motivating factors. Group size is also an important component for leading successful and

productive collaboration. It takes engaged and responsive leadership to construct effective

collaborative groups. Establishing standards and creating a trusted environment is helpful for the

creative process. All group members should perceive that their opinions are equally valued and

can be shared without negative feedback. Depending on the purpose of the collaborative effort, a

leader might choose to break the objective into subcomponents of the greater issues at hand.

Leaders could act as facilitators to help guide the group and monitor adherence to the selected

standards used to keep the creative ideas flowing. Group diversity is a factor that can have both
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beneficial and negative outcomes. When properly led a highly diverse group may yield the

highest level of creativity. Conversely, a diverse group could lack cohesion, and trust, and result

in a guarding of unique opinions. Highly functioning leaders take all necessary steps to ensure

collaborative creativity is an essential part of the organizational culture (Paulus et al., 2018).

Life Experience

Professional and personal life experiences help shape the way you see and interact with

the world. Wisdom is associated with acquiring knowledge from life experiences, a positive

development for the individual. Individuals do not simply become wiser with age, some do not

learn from their experiences, are not deeply affected by life events, and do not possess high

levels of wisdom. There are differing opinions on the origins of wisdom, some link it to

personality traits and others believe it is simply derived from experiences with a given

environment. Life experiences do provide information to the individual. A high-capacity and

critically thinking individual may perhaps acquire more wisdom from their life experiences.

Conversely, some individuals experience significant life experiences yet fail to learn from them

and no wisdom is gained from the opportunity. Leaders do acquire significant benefits from the

life experiences they face which helps develop wisdom. There are advantages to reflecting on

life experiences, processing the wisdom that has been gained, and making sense of experiences

by looking at them from multiple perspectives (Yang, 2014)

Conclusion

Conceptual blocks are problematic for organizations, leaders, and followers. Leaders

must develop effective communication strategies to properly guide organizational cultures down

the right path. Creative problem-solving requires mindful leaders, empowered team members,
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diverse perspectives, and an openness to collaborate effectively. A central theme found in the

problems with conceptual blocks is a leader’s reluctance to reach out beyond their limitations.

Relying on their perspectives, life experiences, intuitions, and desires to control the narrative is

detrimental to creative problem-solving. As outlined in the research, there are proven strategies

that raise the potential for organizational prosperity. Framing a problem through inclusive

dialogue with team members produces clarity, empowerment, and a clearer understanding of the

problem throughout the organization. A leader with an artistic approach to building

organizational culture is mindful of elements beyond objective and traditional goals. The

emotions and perceptions of members within the organization can be better served by a leader

willing to tap into their senses, cultivate relationships, and illustrate a vision through relatable

storytelling. Organizational problems are oftentimes complex and have comprehensive elements

that must be evaluated. Critical thinking is a requisite function of leaders. Leaders must replicate

their abilities to critically think in ways that are adaptive to a diverse workforce. When all

members can look at problems and solutions as a critical thinking exercise there is a lower

chance for negative outcomes. Highly effective organizations develop an appreciation for

collaborative processes to be deployed for creative problem-solving. Diversity is a strength for

organizations, effective leaders can facilitate and inspire individuals in group settings. Ensuring

that collaboration efforts yield positive outcomes is a function of modern leaders. Finally, life

experience can be an influential source of wisdom for leaders. Experiences, both good and bad,

provide insight into what processes work for certain situations. An effective leader is not reliant

on past experiences to guide novel problems. Complex problems are unique; it takes disciplined

leadership to be open to multiple perspectives in pursuit of creative solutions.

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References

Chevallier, A., Enders, A., & Barsoux, J. (2023). Become a Better Problem Solver by Telling Better

Stories. MIT Sloan Management Review, 64(3), 1-7.

https://sienaheights.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-

journals/become-better-problem-solver-telling-stories/docview/2784005916/se-2

Haden, S. S. P., Diaz, S., Humphreys, J. H., & Hayek, M. (2014). Leading Aesthetically: Insights from

the Founders of the San Antonio Conservation Society. Journal of Applied Management and

Entrepreneurship, 19(2), 3-26.

https://sienaheights.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-

journals/leading-aesthetically-insights-founders-san/docview/1543780518/se-2

Kellum, C., D.E.L. (2022). Developing Critical Thinking in Leaders. The Journal of Total

Rewards, 31(3), 61.

https://sienaheights.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-

journals/developing-critical-thinking-leaders/docview/2723854168/se-2

Paulus, P. B., Baruah, J., & Kenworthy, J. B. (2018). Enhancing collaborative ideation in

organizations. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02024

Whetten, D. A., & Cameron, K. (2003). Solving problems analytically and creatively. In Developing

management skills (5th ed., pp. 153–205). Prentice Hall.

Yang, Sy. (2014) Wisdom and learning from important and meaningful life experiences. J Adult Dev 21,

129–146. https://doi-org.sienaheights.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s10804-014-9186-x