We spend a fair amount of time talking with our clients and the leaders we work with about “desired outcomes” – the first step in planning any kind of communication.
When we ask, “What’s the outcome you seek?” we often get a communications goal (that’s helpful to know but communications should never be an outcome; it’s a means to achieving a business outcome). When we follow-up: “What’s the business outcome you seek?” we also often get fuzzy business goals.
My husband, Steve, often says to me, “As long as we have our health, we’re okay.”
“As long as we have each other and our girls, we’re okay.”
“As long as we have a job we’re passionate about, we’re okay.”
Enter COVID-19, and much of what gives us comfort and helps us operate on solid ground is somewhat up for grabs right now, amid all this uncertainty.
So how do we as leaders rise to the occasion and help lift our people up, instead of sinking them into more uncertainty and despair? A few thoughts to consider:
Read MoreTags: Leadership Communication, Leadership Effectiveness & Planning
If you want to know what’s going on with your team, ask. Schedule time to walk around and ask questions. It’s been called Management By Walking Around (MBWA); I prefer to think about it as Knowing What the Heck Is Really Going On (KWHIRGO). Or, you might just call it leadership because it’s a strategy that effective leadercommunicators employ.
A leader’s personality and points of view are integral to his/her effectiveness. Employees respond positively to leaders whom they know are real people, those who communicate honestly and well. They want to know they are led by individuals who are willing to acknowledge their own strengths and weaknesses.
Read MoreTags: Employee Engagement, Leadership Effectiveness & Planning
Taking an active role in the development of your team demonstrates confidence and concern for the future of the organization. It also gives employees feelings of significance, community, and value.
When you create a culture in which employees can reach their goals and know their thoughts and insights are appreciated, you boost productivity, morale, and engagement.
Tags: Employee Engagement, Leadership Effectiveness & Planning
An open letter to the public relations industry I care deeply about:
We can and need to do better.
I recently met with a job candidate* from one of the fine large agencies in our industry. He had about five+ years of experience, brought an excellent skill set and a track record of proven experience and expertise in internal communications, which is why we approached him about possibly joining my firm.
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Most influential leaders understand that connecting on a personal level with employees is critical to their success.
By engaging with team members and employees, leaders can boost morale, engagement and business results. Studies have shown that motivated and engaged teams are measurably more productive and successful than disengaged teams. Employees won’t care about your business until you care about them.
Read MoreTags: Employee Engagement, Leadership Effectiveness & Planning
Before you embark on a journey, there are many considerations and details to plan. The more you prepare and plan, the more enjoyable and fruitful your journey will be (and you’ll get to your destination faster).
When employees are engaged and inspired, they can move mountains—driving productivity, business growth, and the success of your organization as a whole.
Effective leaders understand that it’s their job to connect with employees and fulfill their need to feel inspired and valued at work. They also understand that the only way to get things done and move a business forward is through their greatest asset—employees.
Read MoreTags: Employee Engagement, Leadership Effectiveness & Planning
It’s back to school time. That got me thinking about some leaders I know who could benefit from a “back to school” mentality when it comes to how they lead and communicate:
