When managers say too much: How Christmas speeches can become a security vulnerability

In many companies, Christmas speeches by the board of directors or management are a fixed ritual. What is intended as an appreciative gesture can quickly turn into a communication trap in the hybrid age. Live streams, smartphones and conversations in (semi-)public spaces make sensitive information accessible to ears for which they were never intended. Executive voice strategist Uta-Alexandra Kral points this out.

"Being constantly loud is not leadership. Being clear is," says Kral. "Especially at the end of the year, it becomes clear how responsibly people handle information."

The many informal conversations that are held in public around the event are particularly sensitive. Social engineers, i.e. attackers who specifically target human vulnerabilities, listen carefully here to find possible entry points and gateways for eliciting sensitive information.

According to Uta-Alexandra Kral's observations, the following patterns are repeated over and over again in Christmas speeches:
- overly detailed statements about past and future projects, mergers or planning,
- careless side comments in a chatty tone and poorly placed jokes,
- contradictory body language and appearance, for example when massive savings are announced and at the same time a show is staged on the podium,
- abbreviations and technical jargon that only a small group of people understand,
- a lack of awareness of the fact that people outside the company could be listening in.

"Over the last few decades, I also have repeatedly seen managers using their Christmas message as a stage for a personal show," says Kral. "Employees notice this immediately and it leaves a stale aftertaste.
Especially when bad news is delivered at the same time. So it's not surprising that there are heated discussions about it on the way home."

From the expert's point of view, the preparation determines whether a message creates orientation. This includes a clear occasion, a defined goal, an awareness of the audience and a single core message. "In many speeches, too many topics are packed into one speech. The supposed looseness then tempts you to quickly say something about it, which later circles around and can no longer be captured," says Kral.

Kral recommends five principles to ensure that Christmas speeches remain valuable and low-risk at the same time:

* Express clear appreciation
Name the challenges of the year and explicitly acknowledge the commitment of employees
* Use figures in moderation and in context
If key figures have to be mentioned, then in percentages or on the basis of previously published data. Comprehensive monthly comparisons and detailed statistics belong in reports, not in Christmas messages.
* Personal note with moderation
A few sentences about how the manager has personally experienced the year and is looking forward to a quiet time with the family, for example, make the message approachable without becoming private.
* Fair treatment of people who are leaving
Thank employees who are leaving the company at the end of the year respectfully for their performance and leave their decision uncommented.
* Focus on the future with the people who stay
Focus on the coming year, emphasize the joint cooperation and announce that the New Year's message will provide guidance for the coming financial year.

"Communication at the end of the year is a high-risk moment in terms of clarity
security and corporate culture," emphasizes Kral.

Three simple control questions that should be asked before every speech can help:

* Would I say this sentence if my competitors were listening?
* Can a trainee understand what I mean?
* Do I give appreciation and orientation or do I create resentment and fear?

What should managers avoid in Christmas speeches?
From Kral's point of view, three points are particularly critical:

- Confidential content with names, organizational designations or sensitive figures that are not already public knowledge,
- detailed presentations of annual reports that are more appropriate for meetings with banks or analysts
analyst meetings,
- a presentation that does not match the message, for example when tough savings are announced and entertainment is the focus at the same time.

"Failed Christmas messages often achieve more internal and external reach than a profit forecast," says Kral. "The only question is whether companies want to afford this kind of reach."

For companies that want to review their year-end communication
Uta-Alexandra Kral has developed a short guide. The guide can be requested by e-mail.

Stimme Sprechen Kommunikation
Hauptstra?e 2
89250 Senden
Germany

https://kral-kommunikation.de

office@kral-kommunikation.de

Uta-Alexandra Kral is an executive voice strategist for managers and teams. Voice, speaking and communication have always shaped her life. After almost
thirty years in an international corporation, including several years in safety-critical roles, she now advises companies on executive communication, personal brand voice and safe visibility in challenging contexts. One of her specialties is uncovering blind spots in communication processes and showing how closely safety and uncertainty are linked to the way something is said.

This release was published on openPR.