Communicating to Power

The stakeholders of any organization or entity potentially wields power. Potentially they are persons with much influence. Those who administer or run the organizations often turn to the stakeholders for advice, guidance and approval. It is not uncommon for the executive to even defer to the stakeholder when their perspectives clash. Stakeholders often hold sway over the matter of the executive's tenure, including his or her salary, length of service and employment. Execuive are even often beholden to stakeholders. Consequently, the stakeholder is a person generally treated with regard, respect and deference.

Given the reality of the kind of power a stakeholder can and often does hold, then, it makes the role of the organization's chief communication officer all the more vital. Stakeholders may be highly influential, but they are not all-wise or all-knowing. As is the case with anyone in a position of power, they, too, need to hear hard truths and be given facts that are not shaped or altered in any way. This is something the top communicator can and should do. It falls under the umbrella of "truth of power." In this case, however, one might call it "communicating to power." Granted, doing this may not always be easy, but if the communicator is to be true to him or herself, to their organization and even to the stakeholder, then this is what they must be prepared to do.

What can make this a particular challenge is if the communicator does not have direct access to the stakeholders. This is not uncommon. Thus, to carry out the vital function of communicating properly to those key individuals, the communicator can and should work through other top leaders within the organiation, including the chief executive. Give them the straight facts to pass along. Even include recommendations if it is appropriate. This kind of straight forward action can help earn the communicator direct access to the stakeholders. Once that is done, then the organization and all that lead it are moving toward the ultimate goal of being open, transparent, and meeting their responsibilities in the name of the greater good.