As organizational leaders, CEO schedules can be jam packed with client meetings, stake holder meetings, offshore teleconferences, not to mention family and home life commitments. The same can be expected for key executive member schedules, but the importance of developing and maintaining an open line of communication between the executives and the CEOs is crucial for profitable business. Now that you have committed to nourishing the relationship between the ranks, following the tips below will help you bridge the gap and render a much more profitable quarter.
Host quarterly retreats
Start-ups are hard and rebuilding can be harder. Once you have a core leadership team in place, it is important to be sure that business goals are aligned on all fronts. Equally as important is ensuring your leadership team is invested in one another?s success. A surefire way of promoting that key internal support is connecting the team outside of the office. People are more motivated to communicate effectively if they know each other on a personal level.
Create a culture rich in open communication
Developing a company culture in which the key executives know that they can reach out to the CEO at any time is imperative. Make it a priority to discuss the ways in which you wish to be contacted. If an executive member has a quick yes or no question, have them shoot you a text for rapid response, while not requiring an interruption of a possible more pressing matter. If there is a question that requires a bit more description, have your executives send an email in which case you can review and respond when you have a free moment. For most critical questions or concerns, a phone call can be protocol. As the CEO, be sure to follow through if you create this type of communication schedule. You want to hold yourself accountable so your team trusts that you will always have time for their concerns.
Ask for a “win of the week”
Jump start your weekly executive meetings by asking each team member to mention something they accomplished or are proud of from the previous week. This is an exercise used to promote positivity and energy, leading to a more productive meeting.
Hold “trickle up” meetings
Bottom-up communication flow gives a voice to the employees closest to the customers, products or services and leaves the employees feeling empowered and confident. Each week, host an employee-driven, one on one meeting with their manager to discuss agendas, relay successes and challenges of the week and to set new goals for the week ahead. That manager can then turn to the CEO and hold a similar meeting, rounding off the strategy and goal timelines.
Think outside the box
Create new lines of communication. Develop committees dedicated to fielding employee questions, comments, concerns and suggestions. Hold the committee responsible for brainstorming new policies and procedures to overcome challenges or to promote positivity within the organization. The workforce is ever changing. Our businesses should be progressing as well.
Host weekly dinners
Nourish your Key Executive team relationships by granting them access to your personal time and space. If they have the sense of connection to you, they will have your trust and loyalty. Showing your willingness to open your personal schedule to generate positivity throughout your key ranks will speak volumes to your team.
Visually check the gauges
As a CEO, it is important that you are seen on a daily basis. Taking a stroll around the office will promote a feeling of connectivity to your business and your executive team members. You will be seen as more accessible and more open for communication. You may be surprised by what you learn when you take the extra step to be seen.
Promote fun and efficiency
A happy team is a productive team. It is important to keep fun and efficiency in balance. A mix between work and play in and out of the office will allow leaders and managers to stay connected. It also generates a greater opportunity for communication between the ranks.
