Communicate like nothing’s off the table

Back in the dark days, giving strategic media advice to leaders was largely about helping them avoid answering tricky questions.

Then I met a senior leader who had a very different approach.

We were working on an especially difficult issue - one that was sure to bring a hostile public reaction. In our first meeting I asked him what was off the table, fully expecting him to recite a list of areas that he wasn't prepared to talk about.

His answer was both surprising and refreshing.

“Neryl, nothing is off the table.”

He was prepared to entertain any question about the issue, no matter how probing or contentious.

That was very freeing. Instead of being anxious about questions that might trip him up, we focused on being clear with what we COULD say.

Of course, there were some questions he wasn’t able to answer fully for legal or other reasons - but he was still prepared to go there. He’d take the answer as far he could and explain why he couldn't go further.

Usually I was the one trying to coax media-shy leader to be more transparent in the glare of the spotlight. But this leader was forging the way. He made it clear openness was an absolute priority.

That experience has shaped my approach ever since.

One of the biggest mistakes leaders make when asked a difficult question – whether in public or inside their own organisations - is to buckle at the knees and immediately hand control to the person asking the question.

What follows is usually one of the three “ives” – sounding evasive, dismissive or defensive.

Credible leaders, on the other hand, see questions as an opportunity to clarify. They’re committed to being open, so there’s nothing to be defensive about.

If they can’t answer the question fully, they don’t justify; they simply explain why.

The result for the leader I’ve referred to was nothing short of remarkable. An incredibly thorny issue was handled with elegance and humanity.

If you’re a leader, try approaching every interaction as if nothing is off the table. Notice what happens.

And if you’d like specific tips on handling difficult questions without falling apart under pressure, watch my latest video: https://youtu.be/f4f2JoRTTVI