What new information do you have that has not yet been communicated to someone who needs it?
Tag: communication
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Listen In -> Technology… When Less is More #4: Communicating With Purpose
Do you find yourself sending an email, leaving a voicemail and texting your message just to make sure you get through?With such a wide repertoire of communication options available today, we should be communicating more effectively, not less.
And yet.How do you choose which communication method or technology to use for your various purposes?
In this week’s show, Jorge and I discuss whether we’ve got the cart in front of the horse when we assume the best way to communicate is always by using the latest technology.
Listen in.
Joining this series mid-stream? Catch up on the entire series here.
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Loving Monday: Back in the Saddle. Back in Touch.
Reality occasionally feels like a cold slap across the face.Returning from vacation can be one of those occasions. Returning from my vacation is currently that sort of occasion.
Between the email, voice mail, and snail mail alone, there is more to catch up on than hours in the day. There are projects to resume, events to prepare, articles to write.
The priorities shouting for attention can be overwhelming.
But I begin with reconnecting. Getting back in touch.
Acknowledging messages, letting people know I am back, reestablishing my presence.
I am effective to the extent that those around me believe that I am available and on their side. After an absence like a vacation, reconnecting lets people know I’m back, I’m available, I care.
Been out of town? Out of touch? Difficult to contact?
Spend the best part of your day getting back in touch. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how it helps everyone involved.
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American Idol Savvy: When Saying Less is More
Kris Allen and Danny Gokey are a contrast in verbal styles.Need we point out how few words Kris seems to need in order to say what he wants compared to how many words Danny needs?
The judges may rail on about Kris needing to do more of this or less of that, and he simply takes it in and offers a brief word of thanks. Danny, on the other hand, gushes on and on about why he made the choices he did, explaining where no explanation was requested, and inadvertently reinforcing any negative comments from the judges by repeating them in his eagerness to acknowledge them.
Two different approaches, two distinct styles, both communicating a certain amount of humility, yet one far more effective than the other.
Kris stands calm and unflappable, which communicates that he is comfortable in his own skin knowing that he has done what he can. Danny prattles on with nervous energy, which communicates that he needs to be understood in order to feel like he has done what he can. Kris gets his validation from within himself. Danny from outside himself.
How do you respond to criticism? Can you receive it calmly, learn from what has value and discard what has no merit? Or do you need to explain yourself until you feel the other person understands your position?
Both are expressions of humility. One is more effective than the other. Sometimes saying less is more.
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Loving Monday: Checking In With Others
If you’ve got a big workload staring you in the face this week, it can be wise to hide somewhere that you can focus and push without the distraction of others.While an excellent strategy in principle, first thing Monday morning might not be the best time to implement it in practice.
To hide away before checking in with the others on the team leaves an unnecessary communication gap. Someone might need a decision from you before they can take their work forward. Someone else may need some information out of your office. A third might want to coordinate an upcoming event or meeting with your calendar.
Checking in with others before you lock yourself away is a practical vehicle for communicating that you are a part of the team even while you have something to do alone.
Checking in with others doesn’t need to be time consuming. You will want to communicate three simple things:
- Greet with sincere words of interest in how they’re doing and what their week ahead looks like.
- Inform that you plan to work alone until 3:00 p.m. or so in order to “focus and push” on a project, and that their understanding and support would be appreciated.
- Ask if there’s anything they need from you before you “disappear” for a while.
Loving Monday is easier for everyone when we make the effort to acknowledge that others’ work is as important as our own.
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Question of the Week
What new information do you have that has not yet been communicated to someone that needs it?
The Question of the Week is offered to increase awareness of one’s personal leadership practices and encourage experimentation with creative alternatives.
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Out-of-Contact Doesn’t Have To Mean Out-of-Touch
If your working rhythm thrives on extended periods of concentration and focus, you need to turn off the phone, close your email browser, quit all your messaging programs and close the door. No question about it. No question, that is, from your perspective.
Continuing our discussion of this week’s podcast interview with software developer Jorge Rosas, from the perspective of others (clients, team members, supervisors) a complete communication cut-off can be quite disconcerting, if not problem-causing.
What we want is for others to feel that we are accessible without having instant accessibility be the only form contact can take.
All communication technologies include a means to notify others of how and when you will respond to their contact. I have found that as long as others hear:
- That their message is important to you, and
- A time frame for when you will get back to them, they will be satisfied.
Now your communication “absence” serves both your working needs and others’ contact needs.
Please don’t sacrifice your own effectiveness in order to stay in touch with others. Those are not mutually exclusive outcomes.
How do you get things done while remaining accessible 24/7?
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Listen In -> Swamped by the Communication Tidal Wave?
How available should you be when communication access is 24/7?
Who orders your day, when messages, calls, and emails continually interrupt?
This week’s podcast interview with software developer Jorge Rosas is a great conversation about avoiding overwhelm without having to avoid people.
Listen in.
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PodcastPost “Enterprising Teams 3: Communicating Seemlesslyâ€
Communication, or the lack of it, is a use (or abuse) of power. The sharing or withholding of information, decisions, and/or recent developments will make the difference between a team that merely works in proximity to each other and one who vibrantly collaborates to win the day.
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Not just talk, but interaction that connects, shares and coordinates.