These are the biggest obstacles to effective leadership comms, Ragan research shows

While comms pros rely on leadership communications to relay messages about business and culture alike, it’s no secret that there are many obstacles to effective leadership comms. In what’s become something of a tradition, those surveyed in Ragan’s 2023 Communications Benchmark Report were not shy in sharing what’s keeping them and the C-suite from being simpatico.

Communicators still seek more bridges and better access to the C-suite, including involvement in strategic corporate decisions that will make them more respected and trusted as drivers of business. While some progress is being made, respondents reported several difficulties.

Who are these respondents, anyway?

Overall, those surveyed report to the chief executive officer (25%) followed closely by the organization’s chief communications officer (21%). Most survey participants are in senior-level positions, with 34% holding director job titles, 33% serving as managers or senior managers, 16% at VP or senior VP levels, and 7% top C-suite, president or general manager posts. The remainder of respondents carry a wide range of communications-related responsibilities from analyst and coordinator to writer, consultant and specialist.

Areas needing more attention