One of the lessons we keep learning is the importance of driving an overriding message and three communication points. It keeps coming back – for people onboarding into new roles, for people onboarding others into new roles, for people interviewing, being interviewed, selling, presenting, campaigning, or trying to persuade anyone to do anything.
I had a radio interview earlier this week to publicize a local father’s forum. Before the interview I spent five minutes thinking through my overriding message and three main communication points. That five minutes put me in control and allowed me to interpret the interviewer’s questions in ways that allowed me to make my three points. It worked great. I was happy. The interviewer was happy. And anyone listening heard what I wanted them to hear.
I’m giving 6 talks on 5 topics in the next 4 weeks. For each of them, I’ve thought through my overriding message and three main communication points. Borrowing an idea from Gary Grates at Edelman, I will use my overriding message to provoke conversations during which I will make my three points. Having prepared this in advance puts me in control, allows me to relax and guide the flow, confident that I can deliver something of value to all involved.
A couple of takeaways for you:
Preparing an overriding message and three communication points can make almost any communication more effective
- Be clear on what you want to accomplish.
- Check your assumptions about your audience’s current reality.
- Craft and deploy a message and communication points that bridge that gap.
Helping our clients manage their message is critical to the executive onboarding services that we have provided since 2003. A clear voice is never more important than in times of transition. If your organization is exploring Executive Onboarding, Team Onboarding, or a strategic restart, please feel free to get in touch to determine if we can help.
George Bradt – PrimeGenesis Executive Onboarding and Transition Acceleration
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