Our Group brainstormed how to gain, nurture, and keep the confidence of our #1’s (Owners, Founders, CEO, Board Chair, etc.).  This is a real challenge for many in our COO Forum.  Here are some ideas we suggested.  Can you recommend some more for us?  Thanks!

• COMMUNICATE UP
  • Manage the barrage of ideas from the top (record, consider, respond to each of them)
  • Provide written, regular, frequent reports on the business’s progress: Let them know you are in control of operations.
  • Provide quantitative analysis where possible to support your analysis and recommendations
  • Use their own words when you are reporting back (visions, goals, values, assessments, etc.)
  • MANAGE PERCEPTIONS
    • Report back formally, so they know you are “following up” and “following through” on their ideas and requests.
    • Communicate the company’s current “story” so they know you are in control.
    • Play to their egos when appropriate, so they will be more prone to listening to you and hearing you.
    • WORK TO CREATE UNITY IN VISION, VALUES, AND PRIORITIES THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION.
      • Ask them to Define and then Rank their priorities.
      • Find common words, expressions, and language for everyone to use.
      • Reinforce management philosophies and desired cultural shifts by handing out copies of management books as support tools and visual reminders to staff and bosses.
        • Raving Fans (Blanchard)
        • One-Minute Manager (Blanchard)
        • The Five Dysfunctions of a TEAM (Lencioni)
        • YOUR IDEAS?