492: How to Win Over Senior Leaders and Boards with Davina Stanley

How do we improve our communication with senior leaders and boards?

 

In this practical episode, we’re joined by Davina Stanley, communication expert and founder of the Clarity First Program, who brings deep expertise in enhancing communication for c-suite executives. Davina shares her journey from consulting at McKinsey to developing her unique program that trains leaders and their teams to craft clear, strategic communications tailored to the expectations of senior leaders and boards.

Discover how Davina’s approach helps leaders avoid common pitfalls in business communication, optimize their strategic messaging, and significantly reduce the burden of rewriting documents and presentations. This conversation is filled with actionable advice on building effective communication skills that can influence decision-making at the highest levels.

What We Discuss in this Episode

• The backstory to Davina’s communication expertise.
• Major communication barriers for senior leaders.
• The unhealthy dynamics of last-minute document revisions.
• The principles of creating a single-page message map.
• The importance of knowing your audience and meeting their expectations.
• Strategies to reduce c-suite workload through effective communication.
• The role of structured thinking in executive communications.
• How board papers and presentations can be optimized.
• The transformative impact of improved communication on teams and businesses.

Podcast Highlights

0:00 – Davina’s Journey into Communication Expertise

4:20 – Barriers to Effective Communication at the Executive Level

7:30 – The Negative Impact of Last-Minute Rewriting

10:45 – Crafting a Single-Page Message Map

15:00 – Understanding and Meeting Board Expectations

18:25 – Reducing Executive Workload Through Clarity in Communication

21:40 – The Fascinating World of Communication Consulting

25:10 – The Power of Structured Thinking in Communication

28:25 – Board Papers and Presentations: Best Practices

32:00 – Transformational Outcomes of Effective Communication

Dive into a comprehensive discussion with Davina Stanley as she unveils the secrets to mastering executive communication, fostering a more efficient workflow, and leading with clarity and precision.

Favorite Quotes

Effective Leadership Communication: “Leaders need to clarify the desired outcome early and empower their teams to develop the messaging. This not only enhances the content but aligns the entire team towards a unified goal.”

The Power of Preparation: “A well-prepared single-page message map can be the key differentiator in how a message is received by senior executives and can drastically alter the decision-making process.”

Insights on Messaging: “Explaining the ‘why’ is crucial not just in board communications but also in marketing. It helps stakeholders connect with the core message more effectively and drives engagement.”

Episode Resources

• Books: Elevate and Engage
• Live Bootcamp: Board Paper Bootcamp

Connect with Davina Stanley

• Website: https://clarityfirstprogram.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davinastanley

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