Communicating with impact - participant copy

Careers information, advice and guidance

Part of the BPN Boost provision

AIM & OBJECTIVES

Aim

To develop the ability to communicate project ideas, decisions and outcomes clearly and persuasively, adapting messages for different stakeholders and assessment contexts.

Objectives

•Structure messages clearly for impact and clarity (K1, K15, S1)

• Adapt communication style for different stakeholders and purposes (K10, K15, S17, B2)

• Use evidence and evaluation to strengthen credibility (K6, S10, B1)

• Communicate effectively in presentation and questioning contexts (K1, S1, S16, B5)

Which

of

these feels most familiar right now?

A. I already have a communication structure that usually works

B. I sometimes lose clarity when explaining decisions

C. I know what I want to say but not always how to land it

D. I am still developing confidence under questioning

What do we mean by ‘communicating with impact’?

Clarity Credibility

Influence

Where impact really matters Explaining decisions Justifying choices

Evaluating outcomes

Even experienced leaders can slip into…

…describing instead of evaluating

…talking too long before getting to the point

…leading with opinion rather than evidence

…losing confidence when challenged

The Impact Line

Context Decision Evidence Impact Learning

The Impact Line

Context – What is happening and why this matters

Decision – What you are choosing to do

Evidence – What has informed your decision

Impact – What difference this will make

Learning – What you will be reviewing as a result

The Impact Line

Breakout room 1

• Introduce yourself and network with the group

• Discuss the following prompts and prepare to give feedback

The Impact Line

Choose one (real, if you can) example of: • A project • A decision • A change you lead

Check in…

Using ‘The Impact Line’, where did it feel most challenging?

A. Being clear about the decision.

B. Explaining the evidence without over-explaining.

C. Articulating the impact clearly.

D. Other (type a summary response).

Why audience changes everything

What might they already know?

What do they (think they) care about?

What decision/s might they make?

The ‘Magic wand’ effect…

..think first, communicate second!

The Impact Line – in context

Breakout room 2

• Introduce yourself and network with the group

• Discuss the following prompts and prepare to give feedback

The Impact Line

Choose an audience:

• A stakeholder

• A team

• An external assessor

• Other…

Which part of the Impact Line would you lean on most?

Which part would you keep lighter? Why?

Check in…

When adapting your message for different audiences, what changed most?

A. Context – What is happening and why this matters.

B. Decision – What you are choosing to do.

C. Evidence – What has informed your decision.

D. Impact – What difference this will make.

E. Learning – What you will be reviewing as a result.

When communication can feel challenging…

You are questioned

You are being challenged

You are asked to justify your decisions

Confidence under pressure is rarely about certainty…

What has informed my decision?

What’s the intended impact?

How will I check it’s going to plan?

The ‘CLEAR’ communication prompt

Context

Listener End goal Approach Response ready

The ‘CLEAR’ communication prompt

CONTEXT

What is happening right now?

What has happened that makes this communication necessary?

The ‘CLEAR’ communication prompt

LISTENER

Who exactly is the audience?

What might matter most to them in this moment?

The ‘CLEAR’ communication prompt

END GOAL

Who exactly is the audience?

What might matter most to them in this moment?

The ‘CLEAR’ communication prompt

APPROACH

How

and what will you communicate?

Tone, pace, channel, level of detail etc.

The ‘CLEAR’ communication prompt

RESPONSE READY

What questions, challenge or pushback might you get?

How will you respond without getting defensive?

A little humour (‘Here it comes!”)

The pause after the question is delivered

No ‘aggressive/defensive’ response.

“This gentleman is right, in some of the things he says”.

Openly admits he doesn’t know ‘everything’.

Reframes – start with the ‘customer’. What is it they need and then take them further.

Then mentions loads of other things they’ve achieved!

Celebrates others and acknowledges mistakes will be made (part of the process).

Doesn’t directly answer “What have you been doing for 7 years?”

His role is implied via the significance of his vision and collaborative strategy.

The ‘CLEAR’ communication prompt

Context

Listener End goal Approach Response ready

What to take forward

Structure matters – The Impact Line

Audience matters – the emphasis changes

Pressure matters – return to something familiar (CLEAR)

Reflection…when communicating…

• What will you stop doing?

What will you start doing?

• What will pay more attention to?

AIM & OBJECTIVES

Aim

To develop the ability to communicate project ideas, decisions and outcomes clearly and persuasively, adapting messages for different stakeholders and assessment contexts.

Objectives

•Structure messages clearly for impact and clarity (K1, K15, S1)

• Adapt communication style for different stakeholders and purposes (K10, K15, S17, B2)

• Use evidence and evaluation to strengthen credibility (K6, S10, B1)

• Communicate effectively in presentation and questioning contexts (K1, S1, S16, B5)