 One of the most important aspects of self-awareness for leaders is to understand not only how our actions are perceived by those we lead, but also how our communication style is understood. Put simply, how do you sound to your people? We subconsciously infer a great deal from tone, pace, inflection, and volume that our leaders use when speaking. Disregarding the actual words being spoken, there is much to be conveyed through examining the delivery. How we speak and communicate is an often ignored tool that leaders should consider. The leader who continually communicates in breathless and hurried tones and seems always on the edge of a crisis can exhaust and inoculate his people against true urgency. The deadpan emotionalist communicator is equally as perplexing as her people search for parties, passion, or even a pulse. Of course, both of these extremes and the range of communication styles in between can be used to great effect at the right time and under the right circumstances. It is up to the leaders to be deliberate in matching our communication style with the context and purpose of the information being conveyed. Lead well this week.