If communication were easy, everyone would be good at it. The fact is, they aren’t. Companies are rife with miscommunication, and leaders rarely see themselves as the problem. A company’s tone is set at the top, yet many executives believe they do not need to improve their communication skills to be better leaders or run a more effective organization. Rarely do leaders recognize the difference in basic communication versus communication that inspires others to willingly act.

In an Interact/Harris Poll (registration required), 91% of employees stated that communication issues drag executives down. Employees see the result of ineffective communication, yet many executives refuse to admit they fall into this category. I’ve had the privilege to work with many C-suite and executive-level professionals. They always have an excuse for their lack of commitment to improving their communication skills.

Here are the top five excuses I often hear:

Excuse No. 1: “I’ve been communicating my entire life. It comes naturally.”

Most people believe that because they have communicated since birth, they are somehow good at it. Communicating is different than communicating with impact and influence. Delegating direction, shooting off emails or interjecting in countless meetings is not considered communicating.

Learning to communicate clearly and concisely is key. Earning respect, credibility and trust that’s worthy of influence only comes when leaders communicate consistently every day, in every interaction, Monday to Monday. When leaders become effective in their communication skills — both speaking and listening — they don’t require countless meetings to gain an understanding of a subject. They don’t need continual follow-up to clarify what they said in previous interactions. Communicating comes naturally. Communicating effectively requires continual practice and focus.

Excuse No. 2: “I don’t want anyone in my organization to know I’m being coached. The appearance of vulnerability could jeopardize my influence.”