This will take a little longer. Does it have to? Of course not – but I invite you to take some time for these thought spaces. To pause. To reflect. Because communication is a living, constantly evolving process. And in that process, both action and reaction play a central role.
We are communicative beings by nature. We don’t just want to be heard – we want to be understood. And because emotions and decisions are always part of the equation, communication is rarely simple. That’s where the real challenge lies. Sugarcoating doesn’t help. Why? Because in the end, what truly matters is what resonates with others. How it impacts them. And how we engage with one another. It’s worth reminding ourselves of that again and again.
But what does it mean to use communication as a leadership tool in practice?
For HR leaders managing culture and change?
For solopreneurs trying to stand out with integrity?
Let’s take a closer look:
Communication as a leadership tool, as a cultural resonance space – and as a way to become visible without compromising authenticity.
What’s the common denominator in all of these perspectives? Backbone.
Thought Space for Decision-Makers
As Paul Watzlawick famously put it:You cannot not communicate.The question, then, isn’t whether communication is part of leadership – but how responsibly it is practiced.
Communication directly impacts business success. Data confirms this clearly:
➔ 26 % of employees cite poor internal communication as the main reason for leaving a job.
➔ 81 % report that effective internal communication increases their productivity.
➔ Ineffective leads to an average productivity loss off 11.5 days per employee per year.
How leaders can act?
➕ Think of communication strategically:
Leadership is communicated through tone, timing, and intent. What do you say, when, and with what attitude?
➕ Share the responsibility:
Employees don’t want polished phrases – they want genuine exchange and the opportunity to contribute.
➕ Communicate decisions – don’t just announce them:
True understanding and impact arise from dialogue. With clear values, active listening, and honest curiosity.
Thought Space for HR & Communication
Culture doesn’t live in polished mission statements – it’s revealed in how we interact every day. It speaks through tone, stance, and relational dynamics. Where co-creation is possible, connection grows. Where it’s not, even the best façades won’t hold under pressure.
Let’s look at the current context:
➔ Ten years ago, only around 40% of companies considered themselves communicatively competent.
➔ Since then, the demands on communication professionals have intensified due to technological transformation.
➔ Despite increasing investment in digital channels, many still struggle with lack of strategy, limited resources, and integration of new technologies.
Self-assessments show little improvement in communication capability over the years. This remains a core challenge: to shape communication in ways that turn conviction into action.
What HR and communicators can cultivate?
➕ Connection over distribution:
Impact comes from resonance, not volume. Listen first – speak second. What moves us, stays with us.
➕ Pay attention to the in-between:
Organizational culture is shaped by the unspoken. What lies between the lines builds or breaks trust.
➕ Communication shapes culture:
The way an organization talks about relationships, roles, and change determines what becomes possible.
Thought Space for Solopreneurs
For solopreneurs, communication is both mirror and steering mechanism. What’s said and experienced doesn’t come from “the company” – it comes from the person. And that proximity to one’s identity makes it especially challenging.
What do I show? What do I stand for? How do I withstand external pressure?
Without you, your business doesn’t exist:
➔ That’s why taking yourself seriously as your most valuable resource is essential. In self-organized environments, self-leadership is key to health, clarity, and resilience.
➔ According to the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer, 88% of consumer say trust is a decisive factor in purchasing decisions. Authenticity beats performance.
What strengthens solopreneurs?
➕ Inner conviction beats outer pressure:
Trends come and go. What remains is your stance. Position yourself before someone else does it for you.
➕ Self-leadership and impact:
Without clarity and self-leadership, your message will remain vague and interchangeable.
➕ Clarity beats compromise:
Focus defines your profile. Clariy isn’t a risk – it’s the foundation of a distinct brand identity.
Who Takes Responsibility for Communication & Integrity?
If you want to be convincing, you need a clear message that resonates – at all levels. A message that is not just functional but human. Communication is leadership, culture in action – and the voice of lived values. Its power unfolds when practiced consciously and responsibly.
Viktor Frankl once said:
„Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response.”
What do we truly want to bring into this world?
Let’s explore together how your strategy and communication can unfold from within – rooted in substance and oriented toward the future.
I support people and organizations who want to make a difference – with clarity and integrity.
With best Wishes
Claudia Gilhofer
Never stop evolving.
Stay human.
[ Communication | Human | Brand ]
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gil com | creative identity and beyond
Communication design with integrity – as a connecting force between human and machine. With a systemic perspective on strategy, expression and resonance. So that brand identity and organizational culture can evolve – vibrant and future-ready.
Claudia Gilhofer:
Creative Planner | Systemic Business Coach | Communication Psychologist in Training
Creative thinker, facilitator & mentor with systemic view of the bigger picture – guided by creative strength and hopeful curiosity for what’s ahead.
