DREIESKIVA​|Roald Kvam

In the high-stakes environment of executive leadership, communication is not merely a soft skill—it is your primary operating system. As a leader, your words do more than convey information; they set the cultural tone, align disparate teams, and drive the strategic momentum of the entire organization.

This article provides a toolkit for navigating the complexities of the C-suite. By integrating these seven core pillars, you can transform your communication from a functional necessity into a powerful instrument of influence.

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1. The foundation: The 3 levels of listening

Most leaders fail not because they don’t speak well, but because they don’t listen deeply. Trust is built in the spaces between words. To lead effectively, you must move beyond the surface.

• Level 1: Internal listening: This is the «default» mode. Your focus is on your own thoughts, judgments, and how the speaker’s words affect you. While necessary for personal reflection, staying here during a meeting makes you appear detached or self-centered.
• Level 2: Focused listening: Here, your attention shifts entirely to the speaker. You notice their tone, their pace, and what they are not saying. This level makes the other person feel seen and valued, which is the bedrock of psychological safety.
• Level 3: Global listening: This is the «environmental» level. You are aware of the energy in the room, the underlying tensions, and the collective mood. A CEO operating at Level 3 can sense when a team is hesitant about a new strategy before a single objection is voiced.

Coaching tip: In your next 1-on-1, notice when your mind drifts to your «Level 1» to-do list. Consciously pull yourself into Level 2 by maintaining eye contact and mirroring the speaker’s energy.

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2. Structural clarity: The «What? So What? Now What?» framework

Complexity is the enemy of execution. When a CEO provides an update that is too dense, the organization plateaus. This three-step loop ensures that every communication ends in movement.

1. What?: Present the facts. Keep this objective and brief. (e.g., «Our Q3 churn rate increased by 15%.»)
2. So What?: Explain the significance. Why should the board or the team care? (e.g., «This puts our year-end revenue targets at risk and suggests a gap in our customer success onboarding.»)
3. Now What?: Define the action. This is where leadership happens. (e.g., «I have authorized an immediate audit of our top 50 accounts to be completed by Friday.»)

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3. Composure under fire: The PREP method

As a leader, you are constantly «on the record.» Whether it’s a surprise question from a journalist or a pointed query during an All-Hands, the PREP method prevents rambling and ensures your message sticks.

• Point: State your main message immediately. No preamble.
• Reason: Briefly explain the «why» behind your point.
• Example: Provide a piece of evidence or a narrative anecdote to make it «sticky.»
• Point: Reiterate your original point to provide a clean «mic drop» moment.

Using PREP ensures that even under high pressure, you sound prepared, decisive, and authoritative.

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4. Operational alignment: The RACI matrix

Communication breakdowns often stem from «role fog»—a lack of clarity on who is doing what. The RACI matrix is the CEO’s best friend for delegating without abdication.

Role	Responsibility
Responsible	The «Doer.» The person performing the task.
Accountable	The «Owner.» The one person who must answer for the outcome. (Rule: Only one ‘A’ per task).
Consulted	The «Advisors.» People whose input is needed before action is taken.
Informed	The «Audience.» People who need to be kept in the loop after decisions are made.

By clarifying RACI at the start of a project, you eliminate the «I thought you were doing that» conversations that derail productivity.

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5. Purposeful narratives: Story of Self/Us/Now

Data informs, but stories move people to action. Marshall Ganz’s framework is essential for leaders who need to drive cultural change or spearhead a new mission.

• Story of Self: Why do you care? Sharing your personal «why» humanizes you and builds a bridge of values between you and your employees.
• Story of Us: What are our shared values and experiences? This builds community and reinforces a sense of belonging.
• Story of Now: What is the urgent challenge we face? This creates the «burning platform» that necessitates immediate, collective action.

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6. Persuasive logic: The Pyramid principle

When presenting to a Board of Directors or potential investors, you cannot afford to «build up» to a conclusion. You must lead with it. Developed by Barbara Minto, the Pyramid principle flips traditional storytelling on its head.

1. The Recommendation: Start with your conclusion (the «Answer»).
2. The Logic: Group your supporting reasons into logical buckets (e.g., Financial, Operational, Strategic).
3. The Data: Back each reason with hard evidence and metrics.

By putting your strongest argument first, you respect the time of your audience and demonstrate immense confidence in your strategy.

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7. Radical candor: The COIN model

Providing feedback is one of the most difficult aspects of leadership. Many CEOs either sugarcoat it (leading to no change) or are too blunt (leading to resentment). The COIN model provides a neutral, effective structure for difficult conversations.

• Context: Set the scene specifically. («In yesterday’s leadership meeting…»)
• Observation: State the facts objectively without emotion. («…you interrupted the CFO three times.»)
• Impact: Show the consequences. («This prevented us from hearing the full budget risk and shut down open dialogue.»)
• Next Steps: Agree on action items. («Moving forward, I’d like you to wait until the presentation is over before asking questions.»)

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The integrated leader

Mastering these tools is not about becoming a «perfect» communicator; it is about becoming an intentional one.

When you combine the empathy of Level 3 listening with the logic of the Pyramid principle and the clarity of the COIN model, you create a leadership style that is both formidable and human. You stop just «talking» and start truly leading.