Communicating With Impact Means ‘Landing the Plane’

Every time we speak in public, we’re a public speaker.

The example of Katie Zacharia being fired from her role as the new White House press secretary after just five days in role, is a perfect example of failing to demonstrate the skill of what I call ‘landing the plane’.  To be clear, there is no political affiliation being made here.  Rather, it is a prescient representation of this professional failing to be on point, confident in articulation and know when to stop talking.  Leaders everywhere in any business need to master these skills.

When I work with professionals around the globe, demonstrating executive presence and being a compelling communicator means being able to ‘land the plane’.  Zacharia did not have a grip of her brief; launched into lengthy responses when interviewed across multiple media formats and did not know when to stop talking.

Being enthusiastic on its own isn’t enough to communicate with impact.  

Being unable to reach for the relevant information does not represent communicating with impact.  

Being unable to discern when the time has come to stop talking does not represent compelling, engaging, credible communication.  

We must land the plane.  

High impact communicators: leaders who show up to engage and enthuse others even when the message is a tough one, know how to get this right.

To find out how we help professionals strengthen these skills visit the What We Can Help With section of our website.

Until next time…