Effective Communication - The 4MAT Model

As a leader you know that effectively delivering your message is critical to your success; ensuring that everyone involved is on the 'same page' is a challenge. Bernice McCarthy has developed a framework that is the basis of great communication.

Four simple questions: Why? What? How? What if/else? can help you to communicate your message and ensure you meet the needs of your audience.

Why use a framework?

• It helps you repeat great results, time after time
• It gives your communication a structure
• It reminds you to stay focused on what’s important
• It helps you share your skills and knowledge with others

What is it?

• See above and right hand column

How do you use this framework?

• Work through the questions and decide which ones are relevant to your message
• Present your information in a way that answers the relevant questions
• You can even ask the questions as part of your communication – for example
  • Why are we here today? We’re here to discuss the recent changes to the project and ensure all of us understand the impacts on each of us and the project as a whole.
  • What are the changes? I’ll outline those now... 
  • How will we move forward? Let’s discuss that...
  • What else do we need to talk about in relation to these changes?
• Ensure that you include each area in your message – Why? What? How? What if/else?

There will be some team members and stakeholders who will have a preference for one or more ‘types’ of communication. Particularly in larger teams, if you cover all four areas, you can have the confidence you’ll be meeting the needs of your audience.

What else could you do with this framework?

There are many applications for this model – meeting agendas, coaching, change control, risk management. Maybe you can think of more …