Dave Butler- Leading with Purposeful Communication
Feb 9, 2024
55:00
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Army Colonel Dave Butler discusses the pitfalls of social media engagement and the power of relationships for leaders. He also shares tips on being an effective staff officer and the importance of purposeful communication in leadership.
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Quick takeaways
Effective communication requires purpose and focus on intended goals.
Clear and concise communication is crucial for staff officers to align with organizational objectives.
Deep dives
The Importance of Purposeful Communication
One of the key takeaways from this podcast episode is the importance of purposeful communication. The guest emphasizes the need to communicate with a specific purpose in mind, whether it's through social media, memos, or addressing a group of people. The key is to communicate efficiently and accurately, focusing on the intended purpose and then moving on. This approach ensures that communication is purpose-driven and effective.
The Power of Clear and Succinct Communication on a Staff
Another important lesson discussed in the podcast is the significance of clear and succinct communication on a staff. The guest highlights the value of staff officers being able to convey information concisely and effectively, aligning with the commander's needs and goals. By eliminating extraneous details and focusing on key points, staff officers can contribute to a well-functioning staff and ensure alignment with the overall organizational mission.
Learning from Industry Experts and Understanding the Information Space
The podcast episode also emphasizes the importance of staying informed about the industry and understanding the information space. The guest recommends reading books by industry experts to gain insights into effective communication strategies. By studying the history and practices of the media industry, public affairs officers can better navigate and leverage the information space to communicate their message effectively.
Continual Communication and Reinforcement of Priorities
The guest emphasizes the significance of continual communication and reinforcement of organizational priorities. This involves not only consistent communication from leaders, but also ensuring that everyone in the organization understands and is aligned with those priorities. By continuously communicating and emphasizing the organizational goals, leaders can create a culture of shared understanding and alignment, promoting effective teamwork and mission success.
Army Colonel Dave Butler joins Joe to discuss communication for leaders in today's information environment. This episode is a must-listen for leaders at all levels because Dave and Joe tackle the delicate dance military leaders must perform on social media, navigating the fine line between engagement and overexposure. Dave and Joe also discuss:
The pitfalls of social media engagement
Why senior military leaders have glass jaws
What to do if internal memos and emails spill into the public domain
Dave Butler has been a close advisor to Joint Force leaders for several years. Much of his early career as a communicator was with special operations, where he served as a comms guy for an Army Special Mission unit and the Joint Special Operations Command. He came out of the shadows in 2018 when he became the chief communicator and spokesperson for US and NATO Forces in Afghanistan. After that, he served as an advisor and spokesperson for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and now serves as an Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army. Before switching to communications, he was an Infantryman, with his time culminating as a company commander in Iraq. He has received numerous awards and graduated from several military schools. He earned a graduate degree from North Carolina State University and attended a fellowship at Duke.
He's a proud Long Islander, married with two kids (14 and 17) and a German Shepherd.
Special thanks to this week's sponsors!
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