Communication & Stakeholder Relations Flashcards

A leadership coach notices a client consistently avoids eye contact and speaks rapidly when delivering difficult news to their team. Which communication coaching intervention is most appropriate?

Answer: Help the client develop awareness of non-verbal congruence with verbal messaging

Effective coaching helps leaders develop self-awareness about how non-verbal behaviors can undermine or reinforce the credibility of their messages.

When coaching a leader on stakeholder mapping, which quadrant of a power-interest grid should receive the most active communication and engagement?

Answer: High power, high interest

Stakeholders with high power and high interest must be actively managed and engaged because they can both influence outcomes and have strong stakes in results.

A leader asks their coach how to handle a stakeholder who consistently interrupts during presentations. The BEST coaching response is to:

Answer: Help the leader develop strategies to acknowledge and redirect interruptions respectfully

Coaching effective communication strategies empowers leaders to manage disruptive dynamics while preserving the relationship and meeting objectives.

Which communication principle is MOST associated with ensuring stakeholders feel heard and understood during conflict?

Answer: Empathic listening

Empathic listening involves fully attending to what stakeholders say and reflecting their perspective, which is foundational to resolving conflict and building trust.

A coaching client leads a cross-functional team and complains that messages sent to all departments are interpreted differently. The coach should first explore:

Answer: The client's assumptions about shared context and how meaning varies across audiences

Different departments often have different frames of reference; effective stakeholder communication requires leaders to tailor messages to the context and background of each audience.

In the CLC framework, 'closing the loop' with stakeholders after a decision primarily serves to:

Answer: Reinforce trust by ensuring stakeholders are informed about outcomes and next steps

Closing the loop demonstrates respect for stakeholders by keeping them informed, which builds credibility and ongoing trust even when they didn't directly influence the outcome.

A leader being coached frequently sends lengthy emails when brief verbal updates would suffice. This behavior most likely reflects a gap in:

Answer: Communication channel selection and situational awareness

Selecting the right communication channel for the message type and audience is a core leadership communication competency that directly impacts efficiency and clarity.