Directive Speech vs. Dialogue: How Leaders Communicate with Clarity, Balance

“In a leadership role, so much more of communication is about connecting with people, establishing shared humanity, motivating them, inspiring them, sometimes challenging them.”

On August 1, 2024, Jonathan D. Levin, the tenth dean of Stanford Graduate School of Business, was appointed the 13th President of Stanford University. In this Think Fast, Talk Smart episode from 2022, Levin reflects on the importance of communication for leaders. There is a balance, he says, in being direct with your dialogue, while also “leaving space for people to form their own opinions, to discuss ideas, to debate.”