985: How to Build Communication Skills That Make People Trust You | Leadership Tips

Shameless Leadership

Sara Dean

Self-improvement, How To, Business, Management, Education

4.7 • 800 Ratings

🗓️ 31 March 2026

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

If you’ve ever wondered how to improve communication skills without overthinking it, this is for you. I’m breaking down simple, practical ways to strengthen your communication skills so you can create deeper connections in your everyday conversations. Through small, intentional shifts, like acknowledging people in real time, expressing genuine gratitude, and demonstrating active listening, the way you engage with others can instantly become more human, humane, and impactful. Effective communication isn’t about saying more, it’s about being more intentional with what you say, how you say it, and how you consistently show up - especially in moments where others are experiencing highs and lows. In this episode, I walk through how to build communication skills that actually translate into stronger relationships - whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or navigating personal dynamics. These are the same tools my current coaching clients use to advance their leadership communication (with great success) while modeling clarity, confidence, and authenticity. From asking better questions to mirroring and validating others, these “micro-moments” of communication are all it takes to shift conversations from surface-level chit chat to meaningful interactions that build trust, safety, and belonging. Every one of these communication habits contributes to real trust building, the kind that solidifies psychological safety, reduces defensiveness, and helps people feel seen, valued, and understood. When you consistently communicate this way, you don’t just get better at conversations; you become someone people trust, respect, and want to engage with. Links Mentioned: Hire Sara to speak: saradean.com/speaking Coach with Sara: https://saradean.com/executive-coaching-services Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradeanspeaks Watch Shameless Leadership episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@saradeanspeaks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to shameless leadership. I'm your host, Sarah Dean. This show is for women, transgender people, non-binary folks, as well as allies, who are committed to advancing their leadership while also advancing the leadership of those around them. In each episode, we will offer practical tips, leadership strategies, and inspiring
0:21.9	stories to help you become a more confident, compassionate, and inclusive leader. The truth is,
0:27.5	you were born to lead. What might happen for you if you were to wholeheartedly embrace that
0:32.2	part of yourself? So let's start now, together. Hello, shameless leaders.
0:39.2	I'm so happy to be here with you today.
0:46.9	I'm feeling extra excited because I'm recording this at 5 p.m. in the evening, and there's still full daylight.
0:49.6	I feel like we've rounded a corner here.
0:54.8	It's stormy and cold and wet in Seattle, but it's light out at 5 o'clock.
0:59.7	So if you were in a place where it feels like there's hints of spring, I hope that is energizing and exciting to you because it feels real good in these gray parts of the country,
1:05.1	like Seattle.
1:06.5	All right.
1:07.0	So today we're going to be talking about building communication skills that help people trust you.
1:13.2	And I always feel like I need to give this caveat, not because I think any of us would do unethical
1:17.6	things, but when we're trying to build skills or practice skills to help people trust us,
1:23.0	we're doing this because we want to be helpful to people, bring them along with us and do what's best for
1:28.1	them, not just what's best for us in terms of manipulating them with the trust that we build.
1:32.6	So I always want to give that caveat.
1:34.8	When we're looking at building these communication skills, we're looking at how can we build
1:38.1	trust and safety for people so that in our leadership, when we are working collaboratively,
1:43.4	when we are helping people grow in their strengths and in our leadership, when we are working collaboratively, when we are helping people grow
1:45.5	in their strengths and in their talents, that they want to work alongside us, that they trust us
1:52.1	enough to listen to the feedback that we have when that feedback is positive and when that
	...

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