Communication as a Leadership Tool © 2010 120VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

Communication as a Leadership Tool

© 2010 120VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

What You Will Learn• The First Rule…• Communication Protocols – Effective Leadership

How to maintain a “Can Do Approach” That you “Can’t Manage By Exception” How to “Manage Expectations” effectively How to present status to Executives w/out creating

fear, uncertainty and doubt How to “Overcome Obstacles Through Education”


What You Will Learn• Reporting Issues – Lead the Lions

What a Scheduled or Defined communication is What an FYI is What an Escalation is About the 3B’s Not to ever ask an executive “how” to do your job


Executive Communication Overview


Communication Overview• First things first…

Don’t think about it – Do it! Promotion, the big projects – Interested?

• PMBOK says… 90% of what a PM does daily is communicate – But why?

• We communicate to LEAD…• Communication is a means to an end

If you want to be heard – get a Therapist Socializing is for evenings and weekends


Communication Overview• We lead up, down and across• Walk a mile – Leadership: The executive psyche

No one stops by just to say hello Fight or flight

• 4th type of executive communication – No bueno Approach w/ Executive = Approach w/ Customer Perception is 100% the reality


Executive Communication Protocols


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Executive Communication ProtocolsThe Scenarios…• A new request is made while providing status in a

group.• A new request is made while providing status “Mano

y Mano”.• A new request is made while informing of an issue.• A new request is made…


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Executive Communication ProtocolsThe First Rule• Don’t communicate with executive stakeholders in

project management mumbo jumbo• Avoid creating fear, uncertainty and doubt

“Can do” approach• Focus on what can be done - Never what can’t!• Identify obstacles to define a “Can Do” approach• Only communicate obstacles if required to

substantiate approach


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Executive Communication ProtocolsManagement by the rules – not by exception• There is at least one exception to every rule• It is impossible to manage by exception• Communicating exceptions in advance creates fear,

uncertainty and doubt

The secret formula• Diligently support the policies - Creates credibility• Exceptions will be acceptable


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Executive Communication Protocols“Managing Expectations” effectively• Do not respond to a request by outlining obstacles• Creates fear, uncertainty and doubt• Obstacles may never result – You don’t look smart!• “Can Do” approach – Your entire existence

The secret formula (even if its already complete…)• Paraphrase, confirm acceptance & be gone• Creates credibility & confidence in success• Creates easy working relationship – Go to “guy”…


Presenting Status to an Executive


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Presenting Status to an ExecutiveWhat Executives want to know – No more, No less1.Project Health

Briefly explain risk affecting the health & Actions you are taking w/ resolution date if available

2.Accomplishments since the last status report3.Briefly describe all issues – regardless of health

Briefly describe the issue & Actions you are taking to resolve w/ resolution date if

available


Overcoming Obstacles Through Education


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Overcoming Obstacles Through Education• Never say

“because it’s the way we do things” or “because it’s required”

• Undermines your credibility as a Leader – Don’t be a Note Taker

• Recognize the opportunity - Look Smart!• Explain the benefits of the approach – The

“WIIFM”• Do NOT use Project Management Mumbo Jumbo


Reporting Issues


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Reporting Issues• As scheduled – Never deliver bad news• FYI – Empowerment (Notification of an issue, plan for

resolution)• Escalation – Assign work up (Notification of an issue, plan

for executive resolution)The secret formula 1. Everything is under control, 2. briefly describe the issue

and 3. briefly describe the SOLUTION.** Critical success factors• Never ask an executive how to perform your job!• Remember the 3B’s


Thank You


Documents

Communication as a Leadership Tool © 2010 120VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved