In my travels to different corporate cultures in over 60 different industries, the most common truth I find is:
“Miscommunication is at the root of all dysfunction.”
– Tom Lemanski
It’s universally indisputable. And, universally frustrating and expensive. It’s equally true with our personal interactions.
So I must ask:
If you don’t, how much more dysfunction will occur? And at what emotional and financial cost?
My quote above is simple statement summarizing a complex problem that we all experience. The bad news is there is no silver bullet for resolving miscommunication. Everyone involved in miscommunication is part of the problem. The good news is there are an abundance of opportunities to be part of the solution. And you can make a contribution and lead by example no matter where you are in the org chart. Assuming you’re ready to stop being part of the problem and contribute to the solution, let’s look at…
Most People, Given the Same Information, Will Come Very Close to The Same Conclusions.
– from Ray Overdorff’s 6 Truths of the Workplace
If this is so true, why doesn’t everyone always agree? The reality is that we all have different backgrounds and experiences. Different conditioning. Different prejudices. And even when we’re speaking the same language, words can mean different things to different people at different times. When you ASSUME (remember the acronym?) that everyone has the same information, what happens to your communication quality and overall functionality of the audience for your messages?
First, stop assuming that we all have the same understanding of the information. Then, be accountable. It is a leader’s responsibility to create a climate for functional communication. Don’t take your communication responsibilities lightly and lead by example.
If you don’t learn to lead by example and create the proper climate, how much more dysfunction will ensue for you and yours?
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2 Responses
Tom, one thing that I have found useful is the power of repetition. Leaders must not shy away from repeating themselves – even to the point where their people get sick of hearing them. And then, they should repeat some more!
Thanks Narayan. There’s a saying in marketing: “Advertisers tire of their message long before their audience does.” Because this is true, many effective campaigns are abandoned before they have an opportunity to be effective. When is this also true for leadership communication?