Communication Fundamentals
Every time I need to explain something twice to a leader/volunteer/staff member… it says something more about me than the other person…
“I obviously did not explain it well enough the first time”
Now of course its not always me with the issue, maybe people don’t listen to me, maybe they cannot understand my Australianised New Zealand accent, maybe I mumble… hang on, they are issues with me.
But anyhoo…
In a day where we see 1500 marketing messages a day, and spend most of our time listening to iPods clear communication is vital!
Scott Hodge writes about “Leading in Times of Change & Transition” from the Centre for Creative Leadership
The Center for Creative Leadership’s Michael Wakefield recently gave some “communications fundamentals” when leading in times of change and transition:
- Communicate relentlessly. Now is not the time to keep quiet.
- Listen. Pay attention to what people are saying, thinking & feeling.
- Explain the change.
- Make an appeal. Draw on a sense of loyalty, courage, morality or other principles that tie the organization’s change strategy to what is important to people.
- Articulate expectations. Clearly explaining why, how and when things will need to happen will set expectations and create a healthy level of stress and pressure.
- Be visible. Find ways to interact!
- Confront problems and conflict. Don’t postpone dealing with challenging issues or conflict. Avoidence will only harm you, your co-workers and your organization.
- Be honest and open. An effective leader will ask the hard questions and foster an environment of honesty and candid discussion.
- Show respect. Treat people with genuine concern and sincere consideration.
- Make room for doubts. Don’t dismiss, write-off or label employees too easily or too quickly.
- Don’t dismiss the old. Help people through transition by acknowledging their history and attachments.
- Be sincere and authentic. Don’t try to bury or deny your own reactions to ongoing events.
- Trust people to handle the truth. Tell them what you know and own up to what you don’t know.
- Demonstrate that you can handle the truth. Stay connected to a broad circle of people and make it clear that you want them to share their concerns and ideas.
