3 Most Useful Phrases for Upward Communication

Now you can laugh at your fear of speaking to the executive suite!

Of all the communication conundrums my clients bring me, upward communication is the top request. Whether you're in person or on a video call, these three easy phrases help you structure what you want to say. And the structure is necessary to sound polished.

To help you craft clear and compelling messages for maximum impact (especially when you're nervous), here are 3 phrases to use over and over.

1. This is important because...

The thing you need to understand about your audience is that they are overworked, overwhelmed and over-zoomed. No exceptions.

They want to know WHY you are saying the thing. You want to sell it before you tell it.

So lead with "this is important because..." and you automatically convey a crisp, convincing presence.

2. What needs to happen next is...

This is your call to action. What do what want your audience to do? To approve? To decide?

3. The way I see it...

If you disagree over something, it's best to affirm the part (the premise or goal) that you do agree upon, and then make the distinction using "the way I see it is..."

Upward communication is the most difficult. Presenting to a board can make you feel like ordering a heart defibrillator.

Add these three executive communication tools to your portfolio and you're equipped to outsmart, outshine, and outdeliver.

If you want to talk about bringing communication coaching or group training to your group, contact me here.