Tips for Communicating With Executives

1. Observe. Take the time to observe the way your senior executive communicates. …
2. Keep it in context. Make sure you deliver your message in the appropriate context. …
3. Be ready to talk. …
4. Think like an executive. …
5. Prepare. …
6. Use metrics. …
7. Present facts. …
8. Be natural.

Look at the senior management’s calendars to get a sense of how busy they are likely to be. You’ll probably see meeting after meeting—even past 5 p. m. —with few, if any, breaks. For this reason, when you finally manage to secure a few minutes to speak with a senior leader, you must be prepared. Time is truly of the essence. Â.

And while the majority of advice will tell you to just be confident, that is insufficient to produce the desired results. The truth is that senior management and executives mainly care about suggestions that have high business value. They don’t want to delve too deeply when speaking with employees. They want impactful and high-level overviews. Â.

5 Rules for Communicating Effectively with Executives

Why is communicating with executives important?

It’s crucial to communicate with executives because it can help you succeed at work. You might need to solicit their help, talk about a problem, update them on your progress, or introduce yourself or a fresh thought. Executives time is limited and valuable. Therefore, knowing how to approach your executives and convey a clear message is helpful.

There are three primary scenarios in which you might deal with an executive:

How to communicate with executives

You can follow these steps to communicate with your executives:

1. Observe

Spend some time observing how your senior executive interacts with others. Understanding when and how your executive initiates a conversation can help you reach out to them. Everyone has a preferred method of communication. Ask the assistant how they prefer to be contacted, whether it be by phone, email, or by setting up a face-to-face meeting.

2. Keep it in context

Make sure you deliver your message in the appropriate context. Consider, for instance, sitting next to your executive during a brainstorming session. In that case, it is probably a good idea to present a detailed pitch for a new product idea. If you run into them at a holiday party, it’s acceptable to mention the broad idea or briefly express your thoughts if they bring it up.

The best course of action in social situations is to discuss appropriate subjects like regional attractions, cuisine, or sports. Examine the executives’ reactions and body language to determine whether they are engaged in the conversation, and change the subject if necessary. Additionally, now might be a good time to ask for recommendations for books to read or career paths. Leaders usually like to share their experiences.

3. Be ready to talk

Always try to be prepared for a serious discussion by being aware of your specifics so that you can take advantage of the opportunity if the executive asks you to elaborate.

4. Think like an executive

Consider what matters to the executive before communicating with them to help you better frame your message. Before speaking to someone, it is crucial to comprehend their interests and values, especially if you are negotiating. It may be helpful to clarify their questions and concentrate on the potential business implications of the problem you want to discuss.

5. Prepare

Prepare an effective digital presentation that summarizes your key points before a meeting with your executive to present a new project. Organize your information with bullet lists and key short sentences. Try to separate your sources and supporting information into a separate section, and be prepared to provide them upon request. Create a speaker’s note for yourself so that your ideas are organized. This preparation can assist you in grabbing and holding your executive audience’s attention. Additionally, get ready for questions by learning about your subject and assembling all necessary information. It can help build your credibility, which is essential.

6. Use metrics

Communicate like an executive to get their attention. Typically, this entails speaking in their language patterns, comprehending their objectives and the metrics they use to measure progress. Try to use those metrics and goals in your communication. You might discuss the effectiveness or productivity your idea can bring when presenting it. When discussing your team, you could use financial indicators like return on investment or net profit to highlight the accomplishments of the group.

7. Present facts

Use as many facts as possible to back up your claims. For executives, facts and evidence frequently have more weight than personal judgment. They make decisions based on the information they have, so give them the evidence to support your demands and assertions.

8. Be natural

To project confidence, pay attention to your body language and voice. Also, remember to be authentic. Be sincere and demonstrate your optimism regarding the changes you can make to the business.

9. Be direct

At the beginning of your conversation or presentation, make the executive aware of the specific reason you want to speak. Your contextual justifications should be succinct and direct. Show how your suggestions fit with the organization’s goals to win them over right away. Use concise sentences and an organized presentation of your information to speak clearly.

If you need to communicate about a problem the company is having, describe the circumstance and make possible solutions, illustrating how your suggestions can be beneficial. The success of projects is influenced by being honest about problems.

10. Ask questions

Before beginning your presentation, ask questions to better understand the needs of your audience. Ask them if they have any concerns they want you to address right away or if they are aware of any problems. By doing this, you can make sure that you only share information that is fresh and jump right to what interests them.

11. Propose alternatives

If you meet with the executive to offer a solution, be prepared with two or three options. Executives frequently recognize there are multiple options and want to talk about their options.

12. Listen

When a senior executive speaks, pay attention to what they have to say and start a conversation. When presenting your ideas, flexibility and confidence are equally crucial. You can adjust your point if necessary.

13. Get feedback

By requesting feedback from the executive regarding your ideas, you can persuade them to do so. Ask them if they need any more justifications or details, if necessary.

14. Voice your needs

To help your executive counterpart feel like a member of your team, let them know how they can support you. A great way to demonstrate your sincere desire for your plan to be successful is by requesting their assistance and clearly outlining what you need to do in order to proceed.

15. Follow up

Finally, let the executive know when you will get in touch with them to go over the next steps. For instance, you can schedule a follow-up meeting at a predetermined time or send an email once you reach a specific milestone.

FAQ

How do you communicate with C level executives?

1. Come prepared. …
2. Draft a goal-oriented agenda. …
3. Listen to your prospect. …
4. Lead with insights. …
5. Using Lucidchart to convert the C-suite.

How do I talk to senior executives?

1. Show up with confidence. An executive wants to know that you have done your research and can support your recommendations before they agree to them.
2. Know your opening cold. …
3. Don’t bury the lead. …
4. Demonstrate your reasoning clearly.

How do I talk to an executive director?

Start with short, relevant small talk. Find a common interest with the person by doing some research on them, then bring it up. This will help the executive like you more naturally. But don’t waste too much time with it. Gamson advised, “Start with the small talk on your way in.”

How do I make small talk with executives?

1. Do your homework. Learn the issues the senior team is focused on.
2. Be yourself. Make eye contact and shake hands with the senior leader when you are introduced.
3. Read the situation.