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GREAT COMMUNICATION SECRETS OF GREAT LEADERS
ALTERNATIVE PRESENTATION FORMATS
Leaders continually need to ask themselves why they are communicating. On
one level, it is to impart the leadership message as it relates to vision, mission,
and values. On a deeper level, it is to strengthen the bonds of trust between
leader and followers. Therefore, the manner in which a leader communicates
is less important than the content of the message and its impact.
Much of Part II concentrated on developing a coherent presentation, using
both words and visuals. All of the rules of message structure are valid, but the
presentation methods may vary. For example, the presenter may choose to
give the presentation as a dialogue, asking questions of the audience and pro-
ceeding into discussion, debate, and maybe resolution. Other times, the leader
may just make an opening statement and invite questions from the audience.
As a third option, the leader may come out, tell a story about the business, and
invite comments from the audience. The methods of presentation are endless;
what is important is the message and its content.
FACILITATED DIALOGUE
One method that is fast gaining in popularity is the facilitated dialogue—invit-
ing a skilled facilitator to conduct a dialogue between the leader and the audi-
ence. Turning things over to a facilitator leaves the leader free to concentrate on
the message—what does she or he want to say, and why? The facilitator will be
briefed in advance and told what points need to be made; it will be up to him or
her to bring out these points from the leader and from members of the audience.
A facilitated dialogue will still require much preparation—drafting the mes-
sages, shaping the presentation ideas, even providing visual support, if desired.
The advantages of a facilitated dialogue are that it encourages the partici-
pation of both leader and audience. It enables people to contribute their own
ideas, and it enables the group to build on the ideas of others. The leader
becomes an active participant in shaping the process. Leader and followers
collaborate in a shared process that can lead to greater understanding, and ulti-
mately to greater levels of trust.
One thing to remember: The leader should have the last word in a facili-
tated dialogue. This enables the leader to sum up the meeting and take owner-
ship of the process. The leader may invite others to offer their final words, but
he or she should be the one to close. This act affirms her or his leadership and
responsibility for leading the group.
Hints on Facilitated Dialogue
When staging a facilitated dialogue, consider the following:

Brief the facilitator beforehand. Let the facilitator know the issues and
the topics to be discussed.