How do you balance transparency and discretion when communicating with Executive-level stakeholders?

1 Understand your stakeholders

The first step to balance transparency and discretion is to understand your stakeholders and their needs , expectations, and preferences. Different stakeholders may have different levels of access, interest, and influence on the information you communicate. For example, your board members may need more strategic and financial information than your employees or customers. Your investors may have different concerns than your regulators or partners. Your internal and external stakeholders may have different communication styles and channels. Therefore, you need to tailor your communication to each stakeholder group and ensure that you provide relevant, accurate, and timely information.

3 Be honest and respectful

The third step to balance transparency and discretion is to be honest and respectful in your communication. You should not lie, mislead, or manipulate your stakeholders, or hide or ignore any relevant information that may affect them. You should also not disclose any information that may harm or offend your stakeholders, or violate their trust or dignity. You should communicate with integrity, professionalism, and empathy, and acknowledge any limitations, uncertainties, or mistakes. You should also invite feedback, questions, and concerns from your stakeholders, and address them promptly and courteously.

4 Provide context and value

The fourth step to balance transparency and discretion is to provide context and value in your communication. You should not just dump information on your stakeholders, but rather explain why it matters, how it relates to their goals and interests, and what actions or decisions are required or expected from them. You should also highlight the benefits and opportunities of the information you share, and the challenges and risks of the information you withhold. You should communicate with clarity, simplicity, and relevance, and use appropriate formats, visuals, and examples to enhance your message.

5 Adapt to changing situations

The fifth step to balance transparency and discretion is to adapt to changing situations and circumstances. You should not stick to a rigid or outdated communication plan, but rather monitor and evaluate the internal and external factors that may affect the information you communicate. For example, you may need to update, revise, or correct your information in response to new developments, feedback, or requests. You may also need to disclose or withhold more or less information depending on the urgency, sensitivity, or complexity of the situation. You should communicate with agility, flexibility, and responsiveness, and inform your stakeholders of any changes or adjustments.

6 Seek feedback and improvement

The sixth step to balance transparency and discretion is to seek feedback and improvement in your communication. You should not assume that you have communicated effectively, but rather measure and assess the impact and outcomes of your communication. For example, you can use surveys, interviews, or analytics to gauge the satisfaction, engagement, and understanding of your stakeholders. You can also solicit feedback from your peers, mentors, or coaches to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. You should communicate with openness, curiosity, and humility, and use the feedback to refine your communication skills and strategies.