Richard Ghilarducci: Effective Communication with Leaders

Richard Ghilarducci: How to Communicate with Leaders

Effective communication is the exchange of ideas, thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and data so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose. Richard Ghilarducci says that when we communicate effectively, miscommunication is avoided.

On Effective Communication

According to Richard Ghilarducci, communication occurs in many forms. This includes verbal and non-verbal forms, as well as written, visual, and listening. It can also happen in person, on the internet (forums, social media, and websites), and over the phone through apps, calls, videos, or mail.

The effectiveness of communication may be difficult to measure, but its impact is hard to deny. One study examining companies with at least 100,000 employees in the United States and the United Kingdom found that they lose an average of $62.4 million annually due to poor communication. On the other hand, companies led by effective communicators had almost 50% higher total returns to stakeholders over companies with less effective communicators at the helm, says Richard Ghilarducci.

On Communicating with Upper Management

Here are some important reminders when communicating with upper management.

First, avoid jargon. At the executive level, one is likely to interact with more people outside of one's technical capabilities. This is why it's important to adjust one's language. IT executives, for instance, have to drop the IT and cybersecurity jargon that operations, sales, marketing, and finance likely don't fully understand. 

Next, study tone and cadence. Note that each unit or department within a company has its own goals, culture, and overall personality, so consider it when addressing them individually. This doesn't mean completely changing how one acts but figuring out how to deliver the message best, notes Richard Ghilarducci.

Then, you have to look to the future. As part of upper management, it's crucial to concentrate on the vision and objectives ahead, not how the past can be rationalized. Think of the future and set this as the context for addressing people and what's expected of them.

You also have to know the numbers. High-level leadership entails more than stellar credentials or longstanding experience. Richard Ghilarducci says that it also involves a firm grasp of the facts and data relevant to the organization. 

Lastly, keep it as simple as you can. This tip couldn't be emphasized enough. The C-suite represents the company's brand, so always be "on message" and factor in the audience's hopes, aspirations, pain points, and what affects them the most. Keep it to the most essential points. 

Richard Ghilarducci is a seasoned executive with a career that spanned more than 30 years, during which he was Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Learn more about leadership and its many facets by subscribing to this blog.