Jack Nehlig and Trevor Robinson invite listeners into a fresh discussion about what makes communication effective in leadership today. They blend their real-life experiences with practical guidance, tackling how to build trust, use digital channels like social media, and approach AI without losing authenticity. For readers who are current or aspiring leaders, managers, or anyone interested in improving their communication at work, these three lessons are especially relevant: the ongoing value of classic communication skills, making a real impact on social media, and using AI as a tool—never as a substitute—for genuine connection.
The Enduring Foundations of Communication in Leadership
Despite the many tools now available, clear and effective communication in leadership still relies on the same basic habits. As Jack Nehlig points out, “nothing has changed. All of the foundational things we think about in communication for leaders is all the same.” Good leaders pay attention to the difference between written and spoken communication—and know when to use each. Sharing news in a meeting and following up in writing helps ensure that the message is heard and remembered. Jack emphasizes the value of repeating key messages and using both channels to reinforce understanding.
Personal interaction is vital, even with technology’s rise. Jack explains, “That interaction part so that they can question and dialogue and make sure they get your message. I think interaction is still very, very vital to the written, oral, and interaction part, the trio of ways to communicate.” He encourages positivity and transparency, which lead to a sense of trust: “You should always try to be as positive as possible…you should also always try to be as transparent as possible.” Finally, leaders need to handle disagreement respectfully, never letting it become personal. Combining these practices—repetition, the right channel, positivity, transparency, and respectful listening—creates a base of trust and clarity within a team.
Authentic Leadership on Social Media
The second major point concerns the growing expectations for leaders in digital spaces. As team members turn to platforms like LinkedIn, authentic visibility from leaders matters more than ever. Trevor Robinson explains, “Being a leader on social media, it doesn’t only just mean being present…It also means how are you showing up and appearing on the platform that your employees and the individuals that you’re helping lead are also on.” He stresses not just posting, but actively engaging—especially with team members’ content.
Trevor gives credit to Jack for his sincere approach, recalling, “I would see you underneath their post saying great job. This is amazing...that really stood out. That meant a lot to those people.” But he also warns against ‘checking the box’ with generic feedback: both hosts notice this decreases real impact. As Jack observes, “Their sincerity went to zero with that. The employees see that too.” Leaders should leave comments that are specific and meaningful, responding to people’s actual work and ideas. Such interactions build confidence and connection both within the workplace and publicly. In a world where anyone can broadcast to a wide audience, showing up with real care helps leaders stand out.
AI as a Support, Not a Substitute, for Genuine Communication
The third major point addresses how leaders can work with new technology—specifically artificial intelligence—without losing their voice. Trevor notes a trend on LinkedIn, saying, “there’s all these tools now with AI, and they’re auto commenting on people’s post as you.” While this may increase efficiency, it can make praise feel empty if it lacks personal touch and tone. “It has to be a comment that when someone reads it, they know it came from Jack,” Trevor says. Authenticity remains the key.
Jack supports using AI for productivity—drafting emails or slide decks, for example—but not to automate direct interactions or decisions meant to build trust. Trevor adds, “use [AI] as a tool, as a leader to give you ideas…But also embrace your authenticity. Because if you can create uniqueness, which is really hard to do, you’re going to stand out in the sea of AI content.” The right balance is using AI to help with background work, freeing up leaders to invest time in human, meaningful communication. In practical terms, this means asking AI for a draft but always personalizing the final message.
Key Quote From The Episode
“You should always try to be as positive as possible. And you should also always try to be as transparent as possible…Active listening is wonderful. It’s just a wonderful concept, and people really need to embrace that topic of active listening.” – Jack Nehlig
Key Takeaways
- 00:01:24 – Leadership communication still depends on repetition, a mix of oral and written communication, honest human interaction, positivity, transparency, and respectful disagreement.
- 00:13:56 – Leaders should use social media to show genuine engagement with their teams; specific, authentic comments and interactions build trust more than generic feedback.
- 00:18:50 – AI can help leaders with routine or draft tasks, but cannot replace the need for sincere, personal leadership communication and thoughtful connection.
Wrap Up
Strong communication is the foundation of successful leadership, whether it happens in a meeting, an email, or online. The three lessons from this episode help leaders keep their teams informed, valued, and connected. First, reinforce information using written and spoken channels, while always approaching others with transparency and respect. Second, be an engaged, authentic presence where your teams spend time online—don’t default to generic responses. Third, let AI support your workflow, but never trust it to build relationships for you. Readers can apply these lessons by repeating critical information across channels, adding tailored comments to colleagues’ online posts, and customizing any AI-generated drafts before sharing with the team.
