Leveraging your leader: more than few tweets

Leaders have a powerful opportunity to leverage their corporate brand and advocate for important issues through simple, yet effective communication strategies. And we’re seeing the impact. 

There was a time when the CEO of a company was a name on a website. The public rarely, if ever, heard directly from the leadership team but rather communication was left solidly in the hands of a competent spokesperson who would share carefully scripted messages to journalists, on request. 

The Public Relations game has changed. It’s not all media relations. It’s consumer-direct communications and consumers want more of it. Social media provides alternative platforms for leaders to step out with their own authentic voice, complementing the existing corporate brand and adding another layer of trust. In fact, more than 80 per cent of consumers are more likely to trust a company whose CEO and leadership team engage on social media (Go-Gulf).

Trust is a key factor to brand loyalty. It contributes to the feeling and impression people have of your company. If that impression of trust starts from the top, of course we want to hear from the leader. It helps build confidence in the company, both with staff, stakeholders and the public and also adds a personal touch to something that may otherwise feel corporate and “stuffy.”

Your leader is your biggest advocate for change and it’s time to bring them to the forefront of the social conversation. 

What is Leadership Communications

You’ve probably heard of Thought Leadership. Rooted in content marketing, Thought Leadership is focused on content development — often articles — that establish a key person in your organization as an expert in their field.  

Now let’s step back and look at the bigger picture: Leadership Communications.  

Leadership Communications is about elevating the profile of your leader to strengthen your reputation and leverage your brand with support for your CEO. Strategic support. This is more than a few tweets and calling it a day. This is a thoughtful and dynamic strategy that includes everything from Thought Leadership articles to social media guidance, inspiration and more. Leadership Communications explores opportunities to connect your leader with a different audience group and allow them to use their authentic voice in insightful discussions. 

A leader can inspire change and motivate action. It’s why they are leaders. By expanding that leadership beyond their office walls, your leader can be an advocate for change in the wider community and build your brand reputation at the same time.