If you want to move up in your career, you have to be comfortable communicating with people at all levels. This means you must learn to communicate successfully with members of the c-suite when you get the chance. The leaders in your organization have a lot of say when it comes to who moves up and who doesn’t, and it is critical that when you are given the chance to engage with them, you are able to communicate clearly and effectively to make a great impression.
Tip#1: Know How They Like To Communicate
Everybody has their preferred methods of communicating. Some prefer email, others phone, and still others rely on face-to-face interactions. Executives are busy people, so it is critical to learn their preferred methods of communication and interaction. What mediums do they prefer, do they like detail or do they shun wordiness, etc.? If you can’t uncover the exec’s preferred methods, stick with email and keep your messages short and concise and clearly state the point of your email in the subject line.
Tip #2: Focus On The Need-To-Know Details
When communicating with members of the C-suite it is important to understand what is and is not important and relevant to them. This means eliminating the things that you want them to know and focusing on the things that they need to know. Try to tie your point into the impact on the organization, whether it’s positive or negative.
Tip #3: Just The Facts, Ma’am
When communicating with executives, stick to the facts. You don’t need to burden them with your personal opinions or comments – unless you were specifically asked to do so. Executives use the information you provide to make decisions, and they don’t have a lot of time to try and separate fact from opinion. So always speak in factual data, and provide links to evidence to back up those facts when possible.
Tip #4: Keep It Formal
If you run into an executive on the elevator, be prepared to talk about areas of mutual concern. Yes, you can engage in some small talk, but be prepared to be challenged about an issue or to answer a question that might be wholly unrelated to today’s weather. Also, remember to keep your tone professional, whether the conversation happens in the board room or the parking lot.
Tip #5: Keep It In Context
Yes, you’ll want to get face time anywhere you can get it, but cornering an exec at the office holiday party to talk about your ideas for improving a product or process is just bad form. Make sure that every communication is relevant to the context and environment you find yourself in. Sometimes, it’s best to keep business out of the conversation.
Are You Ready To Take The Next Step In Your Career?
Learning to communicate effectively with executives can help you as you move up in your career. If you are a talented professional in technology, engineering or finance and you seeking new opportunities to grow your career, contact the recruiters at Anderson Cross Recruitment to jumpstart that search today.
