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“So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!’ Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:36-38 (NLT), Peter’s communication to the crowd on Pentecost

The third key principle is communicating with influence. Being a great communicator is essential for effective leadership today. This skill involves being clear, empathetic and genuine. Great communicators don't just pass along information — they build connections, actively listen and encourage meaningful conversations. Servant leaders use communication to build trust, clearly explain their vision and foster mutual respect, according to Sipe and Frick.(1)

Effective communication isn’t just about talking — it also means genuinely listening, paying attention to non-verbal cues like body language and being open and approachable. Great communicators regularly check in to make sure people understand their message, encourage honest feedback and adjust their approach to better connect with others.

Why communicating with influence matters:

·       Good communication creates trust and clarity, both crucial for successful teamwork. Without clear and compassionate conversations, misunderstandings happen, conflicts arise and teams fall apart.

·       Great communicators cultivate a work environment where everyone feels comfortable speaking up, feedback is welcomed and each person's voice matters. The result is a more engaged, productive and harmonious team.

Self-reflection questions to consider:

·       Do I fully listen to people, or am I already thinking about my response?

·       How clearly am I communicating my ideas and goals?

·       Do my actions match the things I say?

·       How can I show more empathy in everyday conversations?

·       Am I actively seeking feedback, and how well do I respond to it?

Daily habits to develop:

·       Practice active listening: Focus fully on the speaker, ask follow-up questions to clarify and show appreciation for their input. Summarize what they've said before responding to ensure clarity.

·       Regularly seek feedback: Ask your team how your communication style affects them and adapt based on their suggestions. For instance, you might ask, "Was my message clear, or could I explain it differently?"

·       Show genuine empathy: Take a moment to understand and acknowledge others' emotions and viewpoints. For example, say, "I understand why this might be frustrating for you."

·       Be transparent: Be open and honest, especially when dealing with tough conversations or sensitive topics. Clearly communicate the reasons behind decisions.

·       Align words and actions: Regularly ensure your actions reflect your communicated values. If you say teamwork is important, actively support collaborative projects.

Shared Experiences:

·       Can someone share how well they listen to others? How has this changed with time?

·       How has listening changed your written and verbal communication?

·       How well do you believe your internal audience appreciates what is shared?

Bottom line: Peter clearly understood God’s plan for salvation and what individuals should do to receive it. He also understood the needs of the people, so much so that 3,000 people were baptized in one day! You can apply Peter’s clear communication at home and at work.

Dig Deeper

Want to learn more?

·       (1)Book: Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership: Practicing the Wisdom of Leading by Serving; Revised & Expanded Edition by James W. Sipe and Don M. Frick. This is an excellent book.

·       (2)Book: Servant Leadership – A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power & Greatness by Robert K. Greenleaf. This book contains many of his writings, including the essay cited in Lesson 9-1.

·       Book: The Journey To Competitive Advantage Through Servant Leadership: Building The Company Every Person Dreams of Working For And Every President Has a Vision Of Leading by Bill Flint

·       Video: Simon Sinek's Advice presented by Alpha Leaders

·       Video: Servant Leadership by Ken Blanchard presented at the London Business Forum

·       Book: Servant Leadership in Action: How You Can Achieve Great Relationships and Results, edited by Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell

·       Video: The Journey to Competitive Advantage Through Servant Leadership: Speaker Bill Flint at LeaderFest

·       Video: Dare to Serve by Cheryl Bachelder Presenting at TEDxCentennialParkWomen

·       Video: The Tide of Freedom: Ronald Reagan's State of the Union Speech, January 25, 1984. Note that both Democrats and Republicans gave him a standing ovation.

·       Video: The Six Most Common Barriers to Active Listening by Communication Coach Alexander Lyon

Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, was known as the “Great Communicator.” At the end of his political career, Ronald Reagan reflected on this moniker. At his farewell address he said:

I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things, and they didn't spring full bloom from my brow, they came from the heart of a great nation – from our experience, our wisdom and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two centuries.

Ronald Reagan knew the citizens of the United States and what makes this such a wonderful country, which is unlike any other country.