Previously published on October 28, 2024 in
Unlocking C-Suite Communication: Building Business Acumen and Influence
Communicating with the C-suite is a nuanced art, requiring a balance of business acumen, candor, and diplomacy. At a recent session in front of 150+ professional communicators at the Ragan Communications Internal Communications Summit at Microsoft’s Headquarters in Redmond, WA, industry leaders emphasized the challenges, opportunities and strategies needed to engage effectively with executive teams.
The need for a cohesive and strategic relationship between the communications function and the C-suite has never been more important. Companies and their executives are increasingly scrutinized by all stakeholders on a range of ever-changing, volatile issues, elevating the role and importance of corporate communicators.
Here are several key takeaways from the event, focusing on how communicators can position themselves as indispensable partners to the C-suite.
Earning your seat: Moving from tactical to strategic partner
One of the central messages was the importance of avoiding the trap of becoming a “yes person” to the C-suite. To be effective, communicators must push back, challenge assumptions, and deliver the unvarnished truth — even when it’s uncomfortable. Simply supporting executive decisions isn’t enough; your role is to provide insights that executives may not want to hear but need to.
Strategic communicators anticipate business needs, align efforts with corporate goals, and influence decisions proactively. Tactical communicators, by contrast, remain reactive, addressing issues as they arise.
The key to earning a seat at the leadership table is to be a truth-teller and reality-checker, not a popularity seeker.
