Picture this: a company’s top leaders seamlessly conveying their vision, strategies, and goals to a diverse array of stakeholders, inspiring confidence and alignment at every level. This is not something that just happens: it is a product of a robust executive communications plan that that bridges the gap between leadership and the workforce.
For comms professionals working with an executive in any kind of organisation, it’s crucial to understand what it takes to communicate effectively not just to your executive’s direct reports, but to top management and other stakeholders as well.
In this video session, Paypal Australia’s Cathy Jamieson provides actionable tips on how to craft an effective executive communications plan. Jamieson clarifies that most executives already possess some level of communication skill. However, it takes an experienced communications professional to fill any perceived gap in the communications process and elevate the experience for everyone involved.
“A good executive comms plan isn’t just focused on downwards to the frontline employees. You’re also thinking about how executive comms go up, and sideways, and to their direct reports,” Cathy said.
Cathy drills down into the fundamentals, such as knowing the personality of your executive.
“Are they warm, intelligent, and insightful? Are they a perfect executive? Are they reserved? re they somebody who talks a lot but doesn’t necessarily have solid content? You know that type of executive: they can talk underwater, but they may not necessarily say anything,” Cathy said.
“It’s great that people can talk, but you need to then be able to structure them into saying and delivering relevant useful information,” Cathy said.
Besides getting to know your executive, Cathy also emphasizes the importance of listening to the staff. Cathy said doing so may help you uncover engagement issues that you can address.
“How are the employees experiencing the leadership communication? What do theyw ant to hear from the leadership? What channels do they prefer?” Cathy asks.
Get full access to Cathy Jamieson’s session recorded during the 6th Corporate Comms Leader Summit here.