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Boardroom Communication Strategy

This podcast focuses on tailoring presentations to board members’ DISC styles to maximize engagement and approval.

• Cindy Jacoby and Martha Forlines recommend using a structured approach to pitching ideas by addressing the four DISC types—Dominant, Influencer, Steady, and Conscientious—ensuring each style’s priorities are met.
  • Dominants want quick decisions, results, and options framed as risk-reward tradeoffs.
  • Influencers respond to energetic, vision-driven messaging emphasizing buy-in and excitement.
  • Steadies seek assurances of team support and low disruption during change.
  • Conscientious members require detailed data, risk mitigation, and compliance evidence.
  • This approach balances brevity and depth, avoiding overwhelming any one style while engaging all.

Style by Style

Experienced executives often embody high dominance and expect confident, bottom-line presentations that highlight fast impact and competitive advantage.

• • Dominants prefer options with likelihood of success and cost implications clearly stated.
  • Risk-reward framing resonates strongly with them, guiding swift decisions.
  • They expect minimal storytelling but clear, actionable information.

Influencers value dynamic, relational messaging focused on team and customer excitement to secure buy-in during boardroom pitches.

• • Influencers want to visualize success with phrases like “our team is excited” or “this will boost our brand.”
  • Presenters must energize the room without boring more results-focused members.

Steady board members prioritize security, stability, and team impact, requiring reassurance about low-risk, smooth implementation.

• • Use phrases such as “low disruption implementation” and “support through change” to gain their support. They typically avoid conflict but will engage if they feel the change benefits the team.
  • They typically avoid conflict but will engage if they feel the change benefits the team.

Conscientious members are risk-averse and detail-oriented, demanding thorough preparation and evidence of compliance and risk mitigation (35:34)

• • They appreciate advanced access to materials for review before meetings.
  • Presenters must be ready to answer detailed questions but avoid overloading the entire group with data.
  • Demonstrating risk awareness and mitigation fosters their trust and buy-in.

Successful boardroom communication requires adapting styles to audience composition and not relying solely on one’s personal approach.

• Build mini-presentations addressing each DISC type’s key concerns within a 10-minute pitch.
• Practice presentations to confidently vary tone and content.