At The Humphrey Group, we teach that effective communication can transform any interaction into a leadership moment – and the research supports this idea. A study from McKinsey found that strong communication helps build trust, increase employee engagement, and improve overall team performance.
But understanding the power of communication is just the first step. The challenge many leaders face is turning that knowledge into action. How do you communicate not just to inform but also to inspire? At The Humphrey Group, we believe this comes from aligning your communication with your core beliefs—an approach we call The Leader's Mindset.
And we’re not alone in this belief—these three TED Talks offer powerful insights into elevating your communication, all of which align with The Leader’s Mindset. Together, they show how leaders can turn everyday interactions into opportunities to influence and inspire.
This popular talk has been viewed over 19 million times on YouTube. In it, Sinek introduces the concept of the “golden circle,” which comprises three levels of communication: “why,” at centre, followed by “how,” with “what” in the outer ring:
Sinek explains that most leaders tend to approach communication from the outside of the circle and move toward the centre. They start with the “what,” like describing a product or service, then describe the “how.” Surprisingly, they often fail to share the most important part: “why” they do it – in other words, their purpose or belief.
Sinek argues that truly inspiring leaders flip that script and start with the “why” because people don’t just buy into products or ideas. What they connect to is the purpose behind these things. Starting with a core belief or purpose creates an emotional connection that truly influences and inspires action.
Much like Sinek’s Golden Circle, The Leader's Mindset focuses on the importance of emphasizing purpose behind communication. Both frameworks assert that when leaders articulate their vision and core beliefs, they build trust, influence others, and create emotional connections that lead to action.
Here’s how can you apply the principles of The Leader’s Mindset and put Sinek’s “why” approach into action:
Julian Treasure’s talk delivers practical advice on how to communicate effectively to ensure your message resonates with others. In particular, he introduces an acronym, HAIL, which stands for honesty (being clear and straightforward in your speech); Authenticity (being true to who you are); Integrity (delivering your message with consistency and reliability); and, love (communicating with care and empathy).
Treasure goes beyond the content of one’s words to emphasize the importance of delivery. He highlights how the voice itself can be a powerful tool for communication; how varying pitch, tone, and pace can keep listeners engaged. By mastering both what you say and how you say it, you can make your words more impactful and ensure your message lands.
Both approaches focus on intentional and purposeful communication and stress the importance of using communication as a tool for leadership and influence, not just to convey information. Here’s how you can apply The Leader’s Mindset in line with Treasure’s principles:
At first glance, this last one may seem like it is out of the realm of leadership. But effective leaders know how to communicate in a way that builds trust and strong relationships. This often starts with engaging in meaningful conversations, but this isn’t a skill everyone naturally has.
Headlee emphasizes the importance of human connection through thoughtful, balanced conversation. She advocates for being fully present, truly listening, and engaging in dialogue without dominating or redirecting it back to oneself. The core of her message is that meaningful conversations are about creating understanding, not winning or proving a point.
Headlee encourages openness, humility, and empathy, which allow conversations to flow naturally, fostering stronger relationships and deeper connections. This focus on active listening and intentional engagement can help people communicate more effectively in both personal and professional settings.
In this talk, Headlee shares ten actionable steps to improve the quality of conversations:
Headlee’s advice to focus on truly listening, rather than just speaking, mirrors The Leader’s Mindset commitment to putting the audience’s needs, perspectives, and concerns at the forefront of every interaction. Both approaches stress the importance of understanding and connecting with the people you’re communicating with. Leaders can adopt The Leader’s Mindset by focusing on how they engage with their audience, applying Headlee’s key conversation techniques:
At The Humphrey Group, we teach that every communication opportunity is a chance to inspire. As these TED Talks from Simon Sinek, Julian Treasure, and Celeste Headlee show, leadership is not just about what you say, but how you connect with your audience. When you lead with purpose, authenticity, and empathy—core principles of The Leader’s Mindset—you transform everyday conversations into powerful moments of leadership.
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