Let’s Be Clear

I recently bumped into an old friend and longtime associate at a networking event and congratulated him on his promotion to a leadership role at a large consulting firm.

“You know, I should get some presentation coaching,” he said. “In this job, it’s more important than ever that I'm able to deliver in big moments."

Specifically, he said it was critical that he deliver an impactful performance at a major upcoming conference his company was sponsoring – a conference that would be attended by almost every one of the firm's current and potential clients. "It is by far the biggest thing we do all year."

Then he asked…

"Standing ovation---and for a very long time!"

That was the jubilant text I received from a successful entrepreneur and CEO who had just delivered her first keynote address to a roomful of business leaders at an industry event.

What made the text even sweeter was that two weeks prior…

One of the most important roles of a leader is to communicate effectively during difficult moments. After all, there is no time that customers, investors, and employees will be more focused on the message from the top than when proverbial sirens are blaring, and smoke is in the air. How and what leaders communicate during challenging times can define the legacy of not only the leader but the entire organization. So, leaders, in this moment, tread carefully but do communicate.

Here are five keys to communicating in challenging times:

“There’s not an employee at the company who doesn’t love him,” she said, “Which is why it’s so hard to watch.”

The HR leader was calling about her company’s beloved CEO, a talented executive who had risen through the organization’s own ranks to land the top job, only to underwhelm in high stakes moments.