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Underneath It All by Joan Burge
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Joan Burge's Administrative Blog

Executive Speak

Posted by: Joan Burge on 3/19/2009

Hello Admins! I’m working on a handout for an upcoming workshop and wanted to share something important with you. It has to do with learning to communicate and use words that executives use. When you learn to communicate in a fashion that they like and regularly use, you will create a more synergistic relationship with them. It will open the lines of communication and they will view you more as a business partner. So here are some quick tips. Practice and let me know how it works for you!

  • Straight forward communication (no need to beat around the bush)
  • Precise and concise
  • Sometimes, big picture and abstract
  • Mirroring words and phrases they use, such as:
    • Analyzed
    • Flawless execution
    • Strategic...
    • Holistic
    • Alignment
    • "Get in the game"
    • Engaged in the business
    • Synthesis
    • Getting into abstracts
    • Forecasting
    • Near-zero tolerance
  • Speaking with intelligence, thought, and clarity
  • Confident tone
  • Decisive - not wishy/washy
  • Prepared (you are organized and prepared as to what you are going to say)
  • Factual

How can you learn more about the way executives speak?

  1. Listen to the words executives use.
  2. Read; pay attention to how they communicate in e-mails and other correspondence.
  3. Read some of the books executives read.
  4. Peruse newsletters, articles, periodicals, and trade journals your executive reads.
  5. Be interested!
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15 Comments

    • Mar 22 2009, 11:28 PM Kayla Baxter
    • I think this is a great article. When you are a peer with your boss instead of just an employee it makes the job that much better. There's nothing like working with a great boss in a symbiotic relationship - you help them get where they want to go - and they do the same for you.
    • Mar 23 2009, 8:37 PM DCBarbieDoll
    • Joan, as usual, you are right on the money! I find one of the most valuable communication tools you can use with your executive is active listening. Listen to not only what is being said but how it is being communicated; is this urgent, important, does it require feedback; and next, being present when you're communicating with your executive - be in the moment, make eye contact, repeat instructions as necessary for clarity, and above all, ask questions to ensure you're both on the same page. Good listening skills, great follow through, and learning to speak their language are some of the keys to getting and staying in the executive suite as a trusted and respected business partner.
    • Mar 23 2009, 8:37 PM Peggy
    • Thank you for your ongoing pursuit to teach administrative assistants how to be more successful!<br><br>Peggy
    • Mar 23 2009, 8:37 PM Peggy
    • Another great message.<br><br>Thank you Joan!<br><br>Peggy
    • Mar 23 2009, 11:00 PM Corleen
    • Thank you for your article and for your continuing Monday Motivators - I share those with all in my office. I work for the top executive in law enforcement in our community. Because of the many pulls for his time and attention, I've learned to prioritize those items that I wish to discuss with him. And....I make the time count by getting directly to the point - the main question or issue first, and background later if he wishes. I put things in his terms and match his style of communication so that he's listening to my question or issue rather than trying to decifer what I'm saying. He appreciates my being concise, has learned to trust my intuition, and allows me to self-manage. It's a win/win! Thanks Joan!
    • Mar 24 2009, 11:26 PM marty fox mitchell
    • I do al ot of learning about the business and the industry. Like my bosses, I will attend all the general meetings that I can (via dial in mostly so I can also do other work at the same time). I may not understand everything that's going on, but I start to pick up things-things that my boss needs to know and things that I need to know like vocabulary, the shape of the company, cost saving measures, etc., it helps get me on the same page as him because I can see what he is going through, what he has to do, what his tasks are and so on. I work for a huge firm so it may be a little easier to get access to the general meetings, but maybe your boss may let you sit in as a business partner if there is a reason that the meeting might help you help him. I'm always looking for ways to make my bosses lives easier, because I know I would want someone to make mine easier. Marty
    • Mar 25 2009, 4:11 PM Lynn
    • Exactly!
    • Mar 30 2009, 10:18 PM Jasmine Freeman
    • Hi, everyone! <br><br>Thanks for all the great comments. Joan is reading them and wanted to thank all of you for taking the time to comment. She hasn't had a chance to comment back yet due to her travel schedule since the posting of this blog entry but she will return to the blog in full force this Wednesday upon the launch of her first ever BLOG-A-THON. Be sure to visit and comment from April 1 to April 22 - daily prize drawings.<br><br>Jasmine
    • Mar 31 2009, 11:07 PM Johnson
    • Getting to know your managers communication style is very important to a successful work relationship between the two of you.<br>I think your right when you say listen carefully to what they have to say and repeat work directions to make sure your on the right page.
    • Apr 01 2009, 8:23 AM Padmasree
    • Very well said. In our roles, it is so very important to be on the same plane as the manager.<br>Your listing of the words and phrases executives use is very useful to understand & communicate with the boss.<br>Thank you for bringing this up.<br>Padmasree
    • Apr 01 2009, 12:20 PM Jodi Holland
    • This is something I am definately trying to work on!! THANKS!! Jodi
    • Apr 01 2009, 12:35 PM Linda
    • Very interesting and supports what I have always tried to practice. The language spoken at my current position, however, is quite different from what I was accustomed to at my previous positions. This required me to take several classes and adjust my communication skills to keep myself out of trouble. Clear and concise needs to be preceded by something softer and less direct than what you might expect from SVPs and VPs. For example, instead of answering an e-mail with "As requested, I have prepared..." you must say "Good morning. Please see the attached..."
    • Apr 01 2009, 5:16 PM Linda Chezem Kanoza
    • Great reminder, and right on the money!
    • Apr 03 2009, 2:31 PM Brenda Mason CPS/CAP, CWCA
    • Thank you Joan for providing us with a list of words that we should incorporate daily. I have placed these in my daily planner and have added these words as a part of my yearly goal plan. It takes 21 days to make a habit, therefore, I will align my goals to engage these words in my daily execution as I synergize my relationship with my business partner.
    • Apr 07 2009, 5:00 PM mcole
    • I will work on developing my skills<br>thanks<br>mary
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