Leadership Imperatives for Communicators Building and Maintaining Credibility

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Leadership Imperatives for CommunicatorsBuildi
ng and Maintaining Credibility

• Don Kirchoffner
• Don Kirchoffner and Associates

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Preparedness

• Noah started building the ark before it began to
  rain.

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• Knowledge
• Communications Expertise
• Business Expertise
• Policies and Procedures
• Relationships Established
• Senior Management
• Other Staff Functions
• Influencers
• Employees
• Media
• Be Prepared
• DONT TAKE A KNIFE TO A GUNFIGHT!

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PREEMPTIVEFORWARD THINKING
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• Intelligence Gatherers
• Looking Over the Horizon
• Seeing Around the Corner
• Think Like the Leader
• Always Look Ahead

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BEHAVIOR BUILDS TRUST BUILDS CREDIBILITY
BUILDS REPUTATION
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• Always On
• Showing Up
• Be Seen
• Be Honest Be Transparent Be Real
• Get Outside Your Comfort Zone
• Be a Player
• Be Engaged
• Offer Solutions
• Dress the Part

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Anticipation

• Skate to where you think the puck is going to be.

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• Think Strategic
• Expect the Unexpected
• Situational Awareness
• Know where you are in relation to the situation
• Stay abreast of the situation
• Operate From the Worst Case Scenario
• Backward Plan

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PROBLEM OPPORTUNITY IDENTIFICATION

• You cant fix operational problems with public
  relations

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• Identify and Manage the Right Problem
• Identify Where Communications Fits Into the
  Solution
• Be Aggressive About Being Involved
• Look For Fixes, Not Blame
• Remember, Communication Supports Business
  Operational Objectives
• NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF THIS
  ORGANIZATION THAN COMMUNICATIONS

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Speed

• I wish to have no connection with any ship that
  does not sail fast, for I intend to go in harms
  way.

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• No Substitute For Speed
• Be First
• Set the Agenda and Define the Vocabulary
• TNT
• 85 Rule
• Expect and Deal with Ambiguity
• Start Out Fast and Pick Up Speed!

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Leadership
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LEADERSHIP TRAITS THAT BUILD TRUST AND CREDIBILITY

• Candor
• Courage
• Values
• Competence
• Dependability
• Decisiveness

• Judgment
• Integrity
• Unselfishness
• Loyalty
• Enthusiasm
• Listening/Being open

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FOCUS

• Be Laser Like

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• Be Outcome Focused
• Be Aggressive and Relentless
• Be On the Offensive
• Prioritize
• Avoid Distractions
• Develop A Reasoned Solution
• Take the Shot
• YOU MISS 100 OF THE SHOTS YOU DONT TAKE

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Measure Communicate

• Good Communication
• Is Not An Activity . . .
• Its A Result

Metrics
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• Communicate With A Purpose
• Clear Complete Compelling Concise
• Measure
• Define Success
• Do Results Match Objectives
• Manage Expectations
• Blow Your Horn
• If You Take Credit For the Rain Make Sure You
  Take Blame For the Drought
• Good Communications Produces Results.

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Stay Ahead of the Game

• Todays peacock is
• tomorrows feather duster.

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• Stay On Top Of Your Game, Stay Current. Remember
  Change Is Constant
• Be Humble
• Be Relevant and Be Indispensable
• Avoid Being Identified As A One Trick Pony
• Ask Yourself Each Day
• What did I fix or make better?
• Complacency Is the Cardinal Sin Of Communications

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• Thanks for having me.
• Any questions?