The art of communication is a key to taking your organization to its next higher level of contribution. The ability of an organization to transfer information between two or more people and retain its intended understanding allows for effort and energy to go into the outcome rather than being expensed on trying to figure out what someone means in their communication.
Each person has preferred methods and ways of communicating as well as receiving it. For example, this Guide Post newsletter. It arrives in email format when individuals request to be added to a distribution list. It is also broadcast via multiple social media platforms and placed on the JKL Associates website for viewing. In these cases, it is all visual text that needs to be read by the consumer or a digital device that reads it (converts text to speech) to them. The author gives up their part of the audible tone and pitch to the reader, and they use their context to read the information.
The same is true for leaders who communicate via emails, text, or other nonverbal means to convey information. This does not indicate this is a weak way of communicating, but it does place an emphasis back on the leader to help assist and ensure the receiver of the nonverbal communication consumes it the intended way the leader initially intended. If the text communication is contorted based on the received context, the outcome could be out of alignment.
Time is a precious element in our day, and we have all taken shortcuts to improve communication theoretically. When we take these paths to enhance data transfer, we must remember that the receiver may or may not have the same framework to package the other person’s thoughts.
To assist communication at its peak, the leadership must put in place a culture, framework, and foundation built upon Purpose, Core Values, and Key Principles that will not be violated or changed. When this framework is the basis of all communication and decision-making, as data is transferred between two or more parties, it is consumed and understood within these standards.
If you think about this in terms of the unique language that exists within a given industry, if a person is not familiar with such language, acronyms, jargon, etc., then they likely will have a tough time understanding the communication that contains these elements. Suppose a business leader has not articulated the organization’s framework and holds themselves and others to the standards. In that case, it is up to the other individuals to piece together what was said and the intended intent. Without the framework, the decisions based on the data could be different.
This week, as you communicate with your team, Don’t guess they are consuming your nonverbal communication the way you initially intended it to be understood. Take the time to validate so everyone is on the same page. Understand the underpinnings of how information is transferred in your organization. Are new team members given an understanding of the framework upon which they base their decision-making?
Wondering what style of communication you, as the leader, use to get your thoughts across? Reach out to a Promise Guide for a conversation on enhancing your communication throughout your organization – Call us at FL (407) 984-7246 or MI (313) 527-7945.
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