3 Quick Business Communication Skills Every Leader Needs
Ed Darling | 4 min read
Last updated: 25/11/2025
What even are, 'business communication skills'?
I’m lucky enough to work with business leaders across various industries.
Witnessing what they do behind the scenes is inspiring.
But surprisingly, even the most accomplished leaders often struggle to communicate their value effectively.
It’s understandable — they’ve prioritised walking the walk, not talking the talk. But eventually, they need to excel at both.
Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or building your personal brand, clear and confident communication is essential.
But where to start? Here are three key business communication skills every leader should master.
Why? Because they answer common questions & scenarios that come up regularly if you run a business, or lead a team.
First up, making a strong first impression…
1. A well-crafted 30-second introduction
Imagine being asked to introduce yourself to a room full of people. Would you sound clear and engaging, knowing exactly what to say? Or would you wing it, leading to a room of blank faces?
As a business leader, you know what you do better than anyone. But a meandering five-minute explanation won’t cut it. You need to refine your message into a 30-second soundbite that captures instant attention.
Lacklustre introductions are rampant in the corporate world, but this challenge presents an opportunity. By preparing a compelling 30-second introduction, you can immediately stand out.
Where to start?
A good introduction conveys who you are, whom you help, and what makes you unique. For example:
“My name is Ed, I’m the founder of Project Charisma. I overcame severe glossophobia to become a professional speaker, actor, and communication trainer. Now, I help professionals and leaders conquer their fears and speak with charisma.”
This introduction does three things:
- Sparks curiosity by alluding to my backstory.
- Specifies exactly the type of people I want to connect with.
- States the value and outcome that I provide.
Oh, and all under 30 seconds!
Now imagine you had a dynamite 30-second introduction, fully rehearsed and ready to go—would you feel more confident standing up to introduce yourself?
2. A clear explanation of your value.
Your 30-second introduction worked well, and you’ve struck up a conversation with some interesting people.
Now they want to know more: How exactly can you help them? What does your service/product look like? How does the process work?
We all find ourselves in a version of this situation.
Whether you’re a financial adviser, an agency owner, a technical expert, or a corporate leader, there are times when we need to explain what we do, how it works, and why people should work with us… succinctly!
Do this well, and you’ll attract the right people to work, buy, hire, or partner with you.
Once again, most people let themselves down by going in unprepared and getting stuck in the weeds:
For example, I might say:
“Yes, I help people with public speaking. We run group calls in our community. We also have workshops, online masterclasses, and I work with corporate teams too. We work on body language, vocal skills — basically, everything you need to speak with confidence.”
This overwhelms people with details. But the trick is to inspire people with simplicity.
To do this, you start with the end goal — the result people get — and move backwards from there to the nitty-gritty:
“We help leaders and professionals to overcome their fears and speak with charisma. We do this by focusing on three key pillars: building skills, developing confidence, and preparing you to perform. We deliver this through 1-to-1 coaching, and team training courses.”
How much clearer and more appealing is that?
When you’ve practised and prepared explaining your offer in this way, not only will the words pack more punch, but you’ll also look and sound more confident while saying them.
But there’s one business communication skill to master: sharing your personal backstory.
3. An engaging personal backstory.
Let’s jump back into our networking scenario. You’ve attracted people with a great 30-second intro and a clear explanation of your offer — now, someone asks:
“So, how did you get into all this?”
This is the final chance to build connection and rapport. But many people flounder from a lack of confidence or preparation. Here are a few prime examples:
Too unsure:
“Well, I’ve always loved marketing. I used to work in-house for other people. Then, a few years ago, I somehow ventured out on my own, even though I didn’t feel ready. So now we kind of run our own sort of agency, but it’s really just me.”
Too boring:
“I began my career in finance as a Junior Analyst at XYZ Financial Services in June 2005, where I was responsible for data entry, financial report generation, and basic market analysis. In March 2008, I was promoted to Senior Analyst…”
Too short:
“I’ve just always had an interest in tech. It’s something I enjoy. So I got a role in IT and have climbed the ladder since then.”
A good personal backstory should tell a story that shows people what motivates you, what challenges you’ve faced, and what you’re truly passionate about.
I used to be deeply embarrassed by my “backstory”. My fear of public speaking was a source of shame for many years. But when I learnt to speak with confidence and began helping others, I began sharing my own story.
Now, it’s a story I’ve shared many times — of developing anxiety, losing all my confidence, and then eventually throwing myself into public speaking and acting, and ultimately starting my business.
This story works well for several reasons:
- It follows the classic “hero’s journey” narrative of triumphing over adversity.
- It resonates with anyone else who struggles with public speaking.
- My delivery is well-honed from years of practice.
Having a well-prepared backstory is useful anytime you’re connecting with new people. Be that on stage, on a podcast, within a new team, or when pitching to new clients. A good backstory builds trust and credibility.
Now, think about your backstory.
What unique circumstances and challenges have shaped your journey?
What passions, problems, and people have influenced you?
Are you comfortable sharing this story with a room full of new people? If not, you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools in your business communication skills arsenal.
Honing your business communication skills.
Most leaders don’t do themselves justice when speaking about themselves.
But with some attention and practice, you can start “talking the talk” with confidence.
Start by honing your 30-second introduction. Then, break down what value you offer, finally, share a personal backstory that shows the real you.
Sometimes it’s easier to be creative with the written word. If needed, write or type these answers out first. But make sure to practise them verbally.
The more familiar you are with your answers, the easier it’ll be to share them live — and the more you can focus on staying present, connecting with the people, and enjoying the experience.
By honing these three business communication skills, you’ll be able to start truly communicating your value.
To your public speaking success,
Ed
When you're ready, 3 ways to work with me...
Coaching Programme: Follow a proven system to build confidence, find your charisma, and step-up as a speaker in your niche.
1-Day Masterclass: Learn everything you need in 1 day to face your fears, and begin speaking with confidence.
Corporate Team Training: Bring confident communication to your team. High impact workshops, events talks, and leadership training.