Why You Need a Partner to Communicate Big Decisions to Leadership
- JD Solomon
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 8
Having a partner can make all the difference when it comes to presenting big decisions to executive leadership. Mentors are helpful, too, but a true partner walks beside you from start to finish.
I discovered years ago that having a mentor was simply not enough if I wanted to excel on the big stage. Technical professionals don’t get the communication training needed in our education. Organizations certainly don't provide the resources to elevate your soft skills. For good or bad, technical professionals are on their own.
A partner helps you make smart choices on the front end about many key issues. What kind of training do you need to be ready? What tools or software are best? Which skills do you need to master? A good partner helps you spot the gaps and sharpen your thinking. They’ll also give you honest feedback on upcoming presentations.
Mentors may coach you from the sidelines. A partner is on the field playing the game with you.
On the back end, your partner is there for the after-action review. What worked? What didn’t? What can you do better next time? You’ll more effectively map out future strategies and adjust your approaches.
Your trusted partner is your communication co-pilot. Even the best pilots (and communicators) don’t fly solo when the conditions are challenging.
Commit to being a person that executive leadership wants to hear from when the chips are down. Communicate big decisions effectively. To move from good to great, find someone who will challenge you and support you. You are stronger on the journey when doing it as a team.
The elements of the FINESSE fishbone diagram® are Frame, Illustrate, Noise reduction, Empathy, Structure, Synergy, and Ethics. Communicating with FINESSE is a not-for-profit community of technical professionals dedicated to being highly effective communicators and facilitators. Learn more about our publications, webinars, and workshops.
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