By: (P) CPT Fathom, T., PMP, ISC, HHBn, 10th MTN DIV, FDNY
Introduction: Communication Isn't Optional—It's Operational
As a Company Commander, you already know that no matter how solid your plan is—if your people don't get the word, the mission doesn't get executed properly. The same principle applies to project management. Communication is more than just passing info down the chain—it's how you align your resources, manage expectations, and move toward mission success.
Despite having solid plans, checklists, and tools, poor Communication remains the leading cause of project failure—over half of all failed projects cite it as the root issue. That includes broken timelines, overspent budgets, confused teams, and dissatisfied stakeholders. It's not about complexity; it's about clarity. Whether you're pushing a barracks renovation, rolling out new digital systems, or coordinating a field training exercise, Communication is your decisive operational enabler.
What We Mean by Project Communication
Project communication encompasses everything you do to deliver the correct information to the right people at the right time—in a format that makes sense and is acted upon. That includes emails, briefs, syncs, shared folders, calls with higher, or even that quick chat with your XO.
Just like in tactical operations, you're not "talking." You're aligning understanding across your formation, higher headquarters, enablers, and outside agencies. Project communication is about intent, clarity, and feedback.
Mission Command and Team Communication
Effective communication drives mission command. If your team doesn't feel safe asking questions or admitting they're unclear, you've got blind spots. Soldiers (and contractors, staff officers, and civilians) perform best when they know they can ask questions without getting smoked, pushed aside, or ignored.
Think about the difference between a team that throws out bullet-point updates and one that explains the why, the risk, and the "so what." That's the difference between a formation that executes blindly and one that performs with understanding.
Engaging Stakeholders: Not Everyone Speaks the Same Language
Your stakeholders—contracting, S3, the G8, logistics, and garrison leadership—operate in different worlds. Some care about the budget. Others care about capabilities. Some want to know how it affects the training calendar. Others are watching compliance like hawks.
If you don't tailor your Communication for each group, they'll start filling in the gaps with assumptions. That's how minor issues turn into big problems. Good stakeholder communication anticipates questions, manages expectations, and keeps everyone aligned—especially when things go sideways.
Three Types of Communication You Need to Master
1. Interactive Communication
Think of this as a backbrief or a huddle—it's a real-time, two-way conversation used for working through complex issues. Examples: video calls, in-person meetings, tactical syncs. Great for making decisions or clearing friction. However, be sure to document what's decided, or it's talk.
2. Push Communication
You're sending information out, expecting it to be received and understood. This is your OPORD, your company-level SITREP, and your email to the battalion. Fast and efficient—but it assumes your people read and interpret it correctly. Always build a way for them to respond or clarify.
3. Pull Communication
This is where you make info available, and your team pulls it when they need it. Think SOPs on SharePoint, updated timelines in a shared drive, or FAQs on a mission portal. It's efficient and scalable—but it only works if Soldiers know where to find it and go looking.
Communication Barriers You'll Face (and How to Overcome Them)
Even in high-performing units, communication barriers creep in. Here are the usual suspects:
• Cultural or language gaps – especially when working with host nation forces or foreign contractors.
• Technical jargon – alienates non-SME stakeholders.
• Hierarchy and rank dynamics – junior Soldiers may withhold problems due to fear of retribution.
• Time zones and geography – coordination issues across distributed teams.
• Incompatible platforms or tech – slows information flow.
• Information overload – leads to people tuning out.
• Information gaps can lead to confusion and improvisation.
How to counter these:
• Set shared comms standards (platforms, frequency, format).
• Tailor language to your audience—ditch the jargon when talking to non-specialists.
• Foster an environment where questions are welcomed.
• Use redundancy in Communication—such as email, calendar, and brief notes —so the message is received.
• Maintain centralized access to updated information.
Best Practices for Effective Comms at the Command Level
1. Be Clear and Direct
Say what you mean. Don't bury the lead. Avoid "death by PowerPoint" or vague taskers. Use the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) approach.
2. Create Battle Rhythms
Establish a predictable comms cadence—daily huddles, weekly briefs, and milestone updates. It builds discipline and reduces confusion.
3. Listen Actively
Don't just issue orders—listen to feedback from your Program Support Groups (PSGs), Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and contractors. That's where your blind spots get revealed.
4. Document the Essentials
Whether it's a decision made in quick sync or a shift in scope from higher, capture it. Paper trails protect your people and ensure continuity.
5. Communicate with the Mission in Mind
Not every stakeholder needs a 5-slide deep dive. Send only what matters to their part of the mission. Keep comms relevant, and they'll stay engaged.
Tailor Communication to the Project Type
Different operations require different comms strategies:
• High-risk projects → Frequent updates, layered comms (written + verbal), tight issue-tracking.
• Technical projects → SME channels for details + simplified overviews for decision-makers.
• Agile/iterative efforts → Frequent informal syncs, stand-ups, sprint briefs.
• Traditional (linear) efforts → Formal milestone updates and documented progress reports.
• Multi-national or joint projects → Time-zone planning, cross-cultural sensitivity, translation-ready messaging.
Size matters too:
• Small projects → Can run on informal comms and quick updates.
• Large projects require comprehensive communication plans, clear reporting structures, a consistent battle rhythm, and effective message control.
Why It All Matters: Linking Comms to Operational Success
When your communication strategy is tight, here's what you gain:
• Faster problem identification and resolution.
• Smoother coordination across lines of effort.
• Informed, confident decision-making at all levels.
• Less rework and fewer mission delays.
• A unified team focused on the same goal.
You're not just pushing updates—you're shaping the operating environment through clarity and tempo.
Executing Effective Project Communication in Your Company
Here's how to lock it in:
1. Know your audience. Who needs what, and how do they best receive it?
2. Set clear communication objectives. What's the purpose of this update or brief?
3. Choose the right tools. Email, SharePoint, face-to-face—pick what fits.
4. Create feedback loops. Confirm the message was understood, not just received.
5. Review and adapt. Ask your XO, 1SG, and key stakeholders what's working—and fix what isn't.
Bottom Line: Communication Is a Combat Multiplier
If you want your company to run like a well-oiled machine, if you wish to have mission orders executed the first time, and if you want your projects to hit deadlines without last-minute fire drills—Communication is your weapon system.
As a Company Commander, your ability to plan, execute, and refine Communication with the same intensity as your tactical operations will directly determine your operational success.
