If you’ve ever stared at a blank Word doc, trying to craft the perfect leadership message under pressure, you’ll want speechwriter Steven Kelly in your head. His recent presentation at PRSA’s Corporate Comms #Impact25 conference offered a masterclass in all things executive comms.
One of his most insightful gems?
“When a leader says, ‘That doesn’t sound like me,’ they’re really saying, ‘That doesn’t think like me.’”
Such a great reminder that creating content for leaders isn’t just about mimicking their tone or favorite phrases, but about understanding how they interpret and process the world.
Is your leader a problem-solver? A big-picture thinker? A principles-first decision-maker?
Kelly says that knowing this is key to crafting messages that truly resonate. He called a leader’s unscripted response to tough questions “the thumbprint of their intellectual approach,” and said professional communicators need to fundamentally key into these moments if we want to get into our leader’s headspaces, earn their trust, and deliver scripts, talking points or social posts they’ll love.
From shaping messages using Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (a classic for a reason), to pressure-testing drafts, Kelly offered a treasure trove of guidance and tips on leader comms that even seasoned comms pros could quickly put into practice.
If you create leader content and want to immediately improve your work, this was one of those talks that makes you rethink your approach in the very best way. Definitely check him out to learn more!
With more than two decades of communications experience spanning agencies, Fortune-100 organizations, non-profits and academia, Kristi Hinck Mills brings her passion for communications to CommsLede Consulting, where she delivers strategic communication solutions and executive coaching for her clients. Visit the CommsLede blog for more tips.
