The communication between HR and the C-level management of companies is not simple as both the sides often speak a completely different language. If you, therefore, want to ensure the interest of the highest levels of management in HR, get inspired by practical recommendations published on CareerBuilder.com. The recommendations' author is Beverly Flaxington, behavior analyst and author of the book called Understanding Other People: The Five Secrets to Human Behavior which was awarded the Readers Favorite Book Award of 2009 by the American Association of Independent Authors.
1. Communicate directly and briefly
E-mail is the ideal channel to initiate the communication with top management, no director will, however, read a long e-mail from HR. Therefore, clearly define your intention in the very subject of the e-mail. Introduce your suggestions in a few bullet points in the text of the e-mail and briefly write what and when you expect the addressee to do. Finish the message with the question when the addressee will have more time.
2. Explain the impact of your proposal on the business success of the company
Do not assume that the benefits of your solution will be so clear for the top management as for you. Describe the positive impact on your business as well as potential negative impacts. Support the proposal by explaining what your competition is doing.
3. Become confidants of top managers
Capitalize on the fact that they are employees of your company and so your clients. Let them know that you are ready to help them with their questions and problems related to employees. It will help you to build a stronger position for future negotiations.
4. Learn to play the role of a facilitator
HR does not have to seek only to obtain a position in the highest team to decide about the company. HR professionals have access to information that top management does not know and can thus bring interesting perspectives on a number of organizational matters. Therefore, it may be advantageous to take the role of a facilitator, the objective third party that can enter the negotiations it could not enter otherwise.
5. Follow the top management's style of communication
Try to adjust your communication style according to what suits the representatives of top management. If you yourself do not have the opportunity to watch the individual directors frequently, get information from people who have this opportunity.
6. Focus on what top management needs to hear
The time the top management will give you is very short. That is why you should fill it with what is essential for the directors to know - not with all the things you would like them to know. Look at your suggestions through their eyes and use their language.
7. Maintain objectivity
Prepare for the fact that top managers will want to dominate you show you the domination. Do not take it personally. It does not mean that they do not respect you. It is their style and you should not get discouraged from solving the tasks ahead of you. You must be able to explain why they should help you.
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