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

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 © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

Executive Communication Overview © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

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 © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

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 4 th type of executive communication – No bueno  Approach w/ Executive = Approach w/ Customer  Perception is 100% the reality © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

Executive Communication Protocols © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

8 Executive Communication Protocols The 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… © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

9 Executive Communication Protocols The 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 © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

10 Executive Communication Protocols Management 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 © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

11 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”… © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

Presenting Status to an Executive © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

13 Presenting Status to an Executive What Executives want to know – No more, No less 1.Project Health  Briefly explain risk affecting the health &  Actions you are taking w/ resolution date if available 2.Accomplishments since the last status report 3.Briefly describe all issues – regardless of health  Briefly describe the issue &  Actions you are taking to resolve w/ resolution date if available © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

Overcoming Obstacles Through Education © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

15 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 © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

Reporting Issues © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

17 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 © VC Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

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