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Andy Branin
Mrs. Hewlett
Leadership in Action
23 April 2014
Key Communication
In the article Leadership Communication Skills by Michael Z. Hackman and
Craig E. Johnson the importance of proper communication is stressed. They list many
different ways in which a leaders communication skills impact those of which he or she
leads significantly. Some of those examples listed include symbolic communication and
human communication. The most common time symbolic leadership is seen is through
someones body language when in a stressful time. As far as human communication
goes that is seen every day through simple conversation and other human interactions.
In my time spent as an intern in the Athletic Training room at the University of
Richmond, I was given the opportunity to experience these skills in action.
Basic Brian
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My first experience in seeing this was through the actions of my host Brian Beck.
To quote the article, Skills that involve regulating the behavior of others are part of the
leaders repertoire. (Hackman and Johnson 429), I think perfectly describes my
experience with Brian. It never seemed that I did anything directly with him but rather
through his assistant of whom he directed on what to do. This was Brians way of
communicating with Ben and I. While it seemed like he had no influence on us he
actually had the most because if he hadnt communicated to one of his followers, his
assistant, we would never have had anything to do.
Laid Back Leah
Leah was another trainer of who worked with Ben and I the most and was in
charge of the baseball team. She was the perfect example of communicating through
symbolism. Whenever we worked alongside her she never really instructed us on how
she goes about doing her job, but rather left it up to us to pay attention and soak in how
she did it. What I learned through watching her was how to tell when someone is hurting
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and on how to adjust to the different needs of the players. She had a laid back approach
to teaching us and I found it to be the most effective.
Assertive Assistant
Sarah was Brians assistant and was very good at articulating what it was that we
needed to do and learn. I recall one time in particular where I witnessed Sarah learning
to lead through communication. How it happened was that she was unsure of what else
to have Ben and I do so she asked Brian, but Brian told her that one day she too would
be running a training room and that it was important for her to figure out herself. So
what she did was thought it out verbally until she realized what it is that we needed to
learn and then she taught us. And according to the article, Thinking and reasoning
skills are essential to leaders since leaders direct groups towards goals. (Hackman and
Johnson 429), what Sarah was demonstrating was a willingness to blossom as a leader.
Because I witnessed that I know have a better understanding as to how I can grow into
a better leader.

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Works Cited
Hackman, Michael, and Craig Johnson. Leadership Communication Skills. Prospect
Heights, IL: Waveland Press,1991.Print.