In a recent exchange among AFN CEO members, the spotlight shone brightly on the significance of CEOs harnessing their voices within their organizations and beyond. Here, we delve into pivotal insights and standout moments from the discussion.
Insights:
The Power of the CEO Voice: CEOs recognize the significance of their personal voice as a tool for communication and influence. However, navigating its use, both internally and externally, requires intentionality.
Voice as an Asset: For many founder CEOs, the company's voice feels deeply personal, reflecting their identity and values. Although it feels personal, the person who is the CEO and the organization that is the company are two entirely separate entities. No matter how personal it feels, the company still borrows the CEO’s voice. It's crucial to shape and actively protect this voice, considering its impact on various stakeholders and personal relationships.
What Can Your Voice Accomplish: CEOs can leverage their voice to communicate the company's vision, demonstrate thought leadership, define and uphold company culture, and engage with customers, among other objectives.
Where Not to Use Your Voice: CEOs must exercise caution when discussing topics beyond the scope of their organization, such as politics or religion, as it can risk diluting the company's message or alienating stakeholders. Further, an audience has a limited amount of attention - the more topics a CEO feels compelled to weigh in on, the noisier their messaging and the less impact of any individual idea they are trying to convey.
Allowing Others to Use Your Voice: Trust is paramount when delegating your voice through social media or other channels. Establishing clear guidelines and offering feedback can help ensure your voice is represented authentically and responsibly.
Discussion Highlights:
CEOs are urged to be deliberate and focused in their communication, considering their audience's limited attention spans. Controversial opinions may attract attention, but they should be approached with caution.
Internal criticism should be handled judiciously, with public criticism used rarely, thoughtfully, and deliberately (most notably to reinforce company culture).
Creating guardrails for using your voice and providing frequent feedback can help maintain consistency and alignment with organizational values.
Join the Conversation:
These insights only scratch the surface of the valuable discussions within the AFN CEO network. By becoming a member, you can access a confidential environment to explore new ideas, share experiences, and elevate your leadership skills with your peers. Connect with us today to expand your network and unlock a world of opportunities for growth and development.
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