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Internal comms: don’t ask me


As a CEO of a business, there's a fine line between open and egotistical. So where's the balance?

By: Becky,   1 minute

As a CEO of a business, a big internal comms issue is navigating the fine line between open and egotistical. So where’s the balance?

Ask me anything 

In the “ask me anything” era of communication, CEOs can often attempt to appear ‘open and transparent and approachable’, yet it can easily come across as the opposite.

The assumption that there’s nothing a CEO can’t answer can feel egotistical and puts the emphasis on the employees to come up with a good question. Often this becomes the exercise rather than getting closer to, or having a conversation with, the CEO.

So why, just because it works on Reddit (the king platform of ego) should it work for an organisation?

Just be normal 

In internal comms, these three words are your guiding light.

Just. Be. Normal.

Human. Conversational. Social. Honest.

Normal.

You wouldn’t sit round at a family party and say “go on, ask me anything. I’ll be able to answer it.” Well you might, but you probably wouldn’t be invited back.

So why, just because it works on Reddit (the king platform of ego) should it work for an organisation?

Sure, people want to ask the CEO things, but are they really going to openly ask it, for all to see? And if they do, is it likely to be what they want to ask, or what they think sounds clever or tricky?

What if…

How about if the CEO asked the question. Asked for help?

I’m sure when the CEO is forking out for that much talent, there must be stuff he/she needs help with.

People love to help. Love to show their skills. Love to be included.

Why not flip it on its head once in a while and show the humility that most leaders need. It might work. You might even learn something.

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