3 tips to elevate your communication style at work

When you think about preparing for a promotion, it’s easy to focus on performance reviews, checklists, and measurable goals. But in many cases, what truly sets successful professionals apart isn’t just what they do it’s how they communicate what they do.

Your communication style has the power to either elevate or limit how others perceive your readiness for growth. The good news? Communication is a skill that can be improved upon (yay!) and along with my guidance, we are going to do it together.  

By becoming more intentional in how you express your personal brand, listen to others, and frame your ideas, you can position yourself as someone who’s not only effective in their role but ready to lead.

Here’s how:

1. Communicate your personal brand every chance you get

Your personal brand is more than a tagline on your LinkedIn profile or a list of strengths in your performance review. It’s the consistent story you tell through your actions, attitude, and communication. Your personal brand permeates your every move. Think: your clothes, your email signature, your background on virtual meetings, and even the stickers you add to your water bottle or computer. 

Your personal brand is your professional reputation in motion. Every email you send, meeting you contribute to, and idea you present reinforces what others can expect from you and what you are known for.

Start by defining your “why.” What motivates you to show up and do your best work? What is most important to you? What do you want to be known for and why?

Once you are clear on what you want to be known for and why you show up to work every day… you can work to articulate it clearly. For example:

→ “I’m driven by helping clients simplify complex ideas so they can act with confidence.”
→ “I thrive on creating systems that make my team’s work more efficient and collaborative.”

→ “My goal is to help people become better communicators in the workplace so we can make the workplace better for those who come after us”

From there, align your day-to-day communication with that brand. Are your emails concise, professional, and easy to read? Do you speak with a tone that reflects credibility and calm under pressure? Are you showing up to meetings prepared to contribute insight rather than commentary?

Consistency builds trust and trust builds promotion potential. The more clearly you communicate who you are and what you value, the easier it becomes for others to envision you in a bigger role.

2. Listen more than you speak

Many people associate strong communication with speaking well, but the most effective leaders are also skilled listeners. Listening gives you valuable information, helps you understand what’s really being said, and strengthens relationships across every level of the organization.

In meetings, focus less on how you’ll respond and more on what’s being revealed. What are the real challenges people are expressing? What are the needs behind the words? You can learn as much from what isn’t said as from what is.

Show active engagement by paraphrasing and confirming understanding:

→ “It sounds like the main concern is the timeline…did I get that right?”

→ “[abc name], what are your thoughts on this topic?”

This simple practice demonstrates presence and understanding while ensuring alignment before decisions are made. It also helps you identify where you can add the most value.

Listening intentionally also builds trust. When people feel heard, they’re more likely to collaborate with you. That kind of trust isn’t just appreciated but it’s also reciprocated and remembered.

3. Communicate in terms of solutions and results

As you grow in your career, it becomes less about identifying problems and more about communicating solutions. Leaders are recognized not only for spotting challenges but for articulating a path forward.

Instead of saying, “This process isn’t working,” reframe it:

“We’ve been seeing delays in this process. I’ve identified two options that could improve efficiency by a notable amount. Here’s what I recommend.”

That shift from a problem (or even complaining) to a possibility and a solution signals professional maturity and initiative.

When you share updates or advocate for an idea, lead with results. Replace “I worked on the Q2 budget” with “As I was working on the budget, I was able to solve for a $5,000 deficit by cutting out xyz spend allowing us to stay on track for 2025 spend”

Results-focused communication helps you explicitly communicate your value and it allows others to easily understand your impact. This is especially important in fast-paced environments where the work you put into a project can be overlooked due to constant “fire drills”. 

A lot of people get stuck on the idea of promotion potential only during performance review season. But the reality of the business world (especially today when people are quitting left and right and layoffs are happening every other month) is that change is the only constant so it’s in your best interest to position yourself as a professional who can clearly express your personal brand, actively listen to your colleagues, and consistently frame the work you do around solutions and outcomes.

You’ve heard me say it before and I’ll continue to say it - communication isn’t just a soft skill, it’s a necessary leadership skill. Whether you’re managing a project or preparing for your next promotion, the way you express your ideas, listen to others, and communicate your impact directly influences how others perceive your value and your readiness for more responsibility.

If you have a promotion as your next career goal, focus not just on your accomplishment but how to effectively communicate the value of what you’ve accomplished.