Here’s what Nike taught me about communicating with senior leaders

Senior leaders are interesting creatures. They are not all created equal. Nor do they lead in the same way. But one thing is for sure, if you learn how to communicate with them, it will make YOUR life so much easier.

Here’s the FIVE biggest lessons I learnt during my career at Nike about communicating with these busy decision-makers:

1. Bring Solutions, Not Problems

If you want quick feedback and decisions from senior leaders, make sure you are always presenting them with solutions to problems, not just the problem itself. 

By taking accountability for finding the solution, not only does it increase the chance that you get a quick answer, it shows them they can trust you to make decisions and they will empower you to do this more and more.

2. Understand HOW they like to communicate 

One size does not fit all when it comes to communication preferences. Senior leaders have varying communication styles and preferred methods. There is no point in using a style that doesn’t work for them - just adapt to the style they prefer and it will make your life easier. 

Ask them directly how they like to receive information. They may prefer email, one-on-one meetings or voice notes. I even once had a senior leader who liked all urgent comms via Whats App! 

3. Understand Their Time Constraints

Senior leaders are busy people. Yes, we are all busy. But many senior leaders have big teams and hundreds of stake holders they need to manage. You need to be aware of their busy schedules and mindful that they may not have time to delve into every little detail. 

Instead, provide concise and focused communication, delivering all the necessary information without overwhelming them. Prioritise the key points, focus on the most critical aspects, and make sure your ‘ask’ is super clear.

4. Timing Matters

Timing is essential when it comes to engaging with senior leaders. Understanding their schedules and knowing the best time to approach them can significantly increase your chances of receiving quick responses. 

For instance, I had a boss at Nike who was always in the office early and if you wanted a quick answer you could get it by going to their desk first thing in the morning. I knew the rest of their day would be hectic so this time slot was when I’d get their attention. Another boss was best caught on the phone during their commute to work.

If you don’t know the best time already, just ask them. Again, it’s going to make your life easier.

5. Master the Art of Email Communication

Mastering the art of concise and impactful email writing is invaluable. When communicating with senior leaders via email, it's crucial to keep your messages brief and to the point. 

Use bullet points to highlight key information and clearly outline what you are asking them to do. By doing this, you greatly increase the chance they answer your email quickly and on-the-go. If you don’t do this, it will sit in their inbox for an eternity!

Learning this skill is so important

I was very lucky at Nike to have senior leaders who helped you to understand the best ways to communicate. If you don’t have this in your organisation, don’t be afraid to have that conversation with people. Everybody wins when you learn to communicate with senior leaders - and honestly, it really makes your life so much easier!