Communicating Up: Influencing Senior Leaders.

Many talented women leaders do excellent work—but struggle to get that work recognized by senior decision-makers.

Communicating up isn’t about talking more. It's about framing your message in a way senior leaders listen for: outcomes, risk, priorities, and decisions.

When you shift how you communicate upward, your visibility and influence increase immediately.

Reframe: Senior Leaders listen differently and are typically listening for:

• What decision is needed

• What the business impact is

• What the risk or opportunity is

• What you recommend

If you lead with background instead of the point, your insight can get lost.

Scenario #1 Giving an Update

Instead of: "I wanted to share a quick overview of the project. We’ve been working through several phases and there are a few moving pieces…”

Try: "We’re on track for the June deadline. The only risk is vendor timing, and we have a mitigation plan in place.”

Why it works: You lead with status, risk, and control—exactly what executives need.

Scenario #2: Asking for a Decision

Instead of: "So there are a few options and we’re still evaluating what might make the most sense…”

Try: Try: "My recommendation is Option B because it reduces cost by 15% and keeps us on timeline. Are you comfortable moving forward with that?”

Why it works: You make the decision easy and position yourself as a strategic thinker.

Scenario #3:  Sharing a Concern

Instead of: "I just wanted to flag something that might become an issue…”

Try: "There’s a potential delivery risk that could impact Q3 targets. Here’s what I recommend we do now to stay ahead of it.”

Why it works: You pair insight with action, which builds trust.

A Simple Framework for Communicating Up

Before speaking, ask:

1. What is the headline?

2. What decision or awareness is needed?

3. What do I recommend?

Then say it in this order: Headline → Impact → Recommendation

This structure signals executive presence.

Influence with senior leaders isn’t about proximity—it’s about clarity. When you communicate in a way that aligns with how they think, you position yourself as someone who doesn’t just execute work—you shape outcomes.

Warmly,

Marie Book