How do you share cross-functional team updates with senior management?

From my experience, senior management is focused on impact and outcomes, not just progress. Knowing your audience means understanding their priorities and framing your update in a way that speaks directly to those. For instance, rather than just presenting milestones or project deliverables, focus on how these align with business objectives, whether it’s cost efficiency, market expansion, or customer satisfaction. What’s the one thing this executive cares about the most? Then structure your update to address that upfront.

How you communicate is way more important than what you communicate , these are very true words! Having said that you choose a format that is acceptable for the Management team and each team is different , some like visuals others like figures...make sure you first assess the information need from them before building anything. If your audience permits it showcase formats with bogus data so they can get a feel for what it is. Going out and building multiple formats with 'their' data is very popular (particularly consulting companies love this for obvious reasons) but I find that having access and asking what they want to know with some high level examples gets the job done much quicker.

The format should serve both efficiency and engagement. Senior leaders have limited time, so delivering information in a digestible yet impactful way is crucial. Consider condensed visual dashboards or one-pager summaries that quickly convey key metrics. A brief, well-structured email might work for simple updates, but a targeted meeting allows for deeper discussion on strategic issues. For interactive sessions, consider formats like quarterly business reviews where leadership can provide feedback in real-time. It’s not just about the format, but how the format facilitates action from decision-makers.

In a world where everyone wants your attention, it's important to keep the must read information front and center. I like to start with the bottom line and the ask if any and then say further detail attached or provided below. This allows for senior management to answer quickly. If they want more context, they can have it but going through that context with the end in mind is much more efficient for them.

Transparency is a key component of leadership trust. However, it’s not just about reporting issues or delays : it’s about framing them in a way that shows how the team is learning and adapting. When discussing challenges, it’s helpful to couple them with a proactive plan.

it’s an opportunity to gain strategic insights that align your team with leadership’s evolving priorities. Ask questions that engage leadership in a way that adds value to the discussion. Asking specific questions like, “Are there any upcoming strategic shifts we should be aware of that could impact our priorities?” is powerful.

Other ways: Senior leadership meetings: Hold enterprise or organizational wide meetings where each cross-functional team presents their updates. This allows senior leadership to get a comprehensive understanding of all the teams' progress in one session. Assign a time limit for each presentation to ensure the meeting remains concise and efficient. One-on-one meetings: Schedule individual meetings with senior leadership to discuss the updates of each cross-functional team in detail. This allows for more personalized communication and provides an opportunity for leaders to ask questions or share guidance.

When updating senior management about a cross-functional initiative, ensuring its team members and leaders fully support the message is crucial. As a cross-functional leader, you represent the voices of multiple functions, which can sometimes conflict. Therefore, it is important to align the message with your team before delivering the update.

1. Weekly or monthly reports including dashboards: Compile a concise report highlighting the key updates from each cross-functional team. Include important achievements, milestones, challenges, and any actions taken. You can use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy to read and understand. 2. Presentations: Schedule a meeting with senior leadership to present the cross-functional team updates. Prepare a slide deck that includes visual aids such as charts, graphs, or progress trackers to illustrate the key points effectively. Ensure you focus on essential information and keep the presentation concise.