To be a leader, write like a leader

So your CEO laces his speeches, presentations, press interviews and conversations with crutch words, slang and a few catchphrases, and it makes you cringe.

Why? Is it because what sounds funny coming from the mouth of a teenager, sounds a bit pathetic coming from a middle aged man (or woman)?

Do you believe that to be respected and viewed as a leader, he needs to not only act like one, but sound like one, too. You don’t want him to sound like every other business leader; you simply want him to appear educated, somewhat sophisticated and capable of articulating a vision without using words like “awesome” and “amazing”. You want him to be able to announce a new product with resorting to catchphrases, like “keeping it real”, “occupying ____” (fill in the blank) “just sayin’”and “going viral”.

These words and catchphrases are not in the lexicon of renowned and respected business leaders in any industry.

What’s good for the goose

Do you apply the same rules and expectations to your writing? Or do you invoke adjectives like “fabulousness” and “super cool” in email messages to colleagues? Do you relax the grammar rules and write incomplete sentences when presenting the creative platform for the next product launch in a marketing meeting?

Do your colleagues and managers view you as a “hipster”, or a professional with a highly valued skill that delivers measurable value to the company?

Is good for the gander

Keep in mind that all business communication helps shape other’s perception of you. If you want to be viewed as a leader, write like a leader.  Always write with purpose, clarity and precision. Keep your copy crisp and to the point so you leave no room for interpretation.

That doesn’t mean your works have to be dry or vanilla. You have your own style and your own way of expressing yourself and your ideas. Have the confidence to infuse your uniqueness into your written works.

For example, when conveying the big idea for a product launch, your words do need to carry the weight of the concept and power of payoff; yet, a tinge of excitement is permissible and even encouraged to show that you are passionate about the idea and absolutely convinced it will achieve the desired business results. It’s important to do so to secure buy-in.

Let your writing project a comfort in who you are as a leader, a business professional and role model.

Your clarity of message, your personal style and the consistency in how you act and communicate will win the confidence of your peers and management. Where contributions and leadership abilities are properly rewarded, perhaps it will write your ticket to a promotion.

Sounds like a sweet deal, doesn’t it?

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