4 ways communicators can earn some R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Communicators say this so often it sometimes feels like it’s our profession’s mantra.

And, where is Clint Eastwood when we need him?

The seat-at-the-table gripe means the people who make big, important decisions don’t consider communications integral to business planning. They ask communicators to draft a memo to announce changes after they’ve already been finalized.

What we’re really asking for is not a piece of furniture, but a say.

I don’t pretend to have all the solutions, here. But in my career I’ve been fortunate to learn from many talented, savvy people and mentors who have grappled with this issue longer than I have.

To have influence, you must demonstrate skill and functional expertise. But it comes down to positioning yourself not just as a fine communicator, but a leader.

To that end, here are the four best pieces of advice I’ve heard along the way:

1. Quit doing things that don’t matter.

Senior-level communicators often complain about “tactical work,” like crafting memos and slides instead of advising leaders on strategy and other important-sounding things.