Vision Corsa Behaviors: Communication
We frequently hear praise for people who are “straight talkers” or “no nonsense” personalities. Invariably, that seems to mean someone who is a liability to team morale. Frequently these individuals (who often self-identify as “tell it like it is” types) give themselves a free pass to say whatever they think – whether their opinion is solicited or not.
Don’t fall for the fallacy that being unable to sugarcoat something is a superpower. When there is little time to talk, brevity is an asset. However, brevity does not mean “spoken carelessly.” It means “spoken selectively.”
It takes practice and empathy to find the right way to share information with people. The skill doesn’t develop overnight either. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to practice - alone or wherever you interact with others.
Write down your thoughts and see how your words sound when said aloud.
Practice a speech in front of a mirror, trying a different inflection or tone.
Take extra time to map out what you need to communicate, what you should communicate, and what you can’t communicate.
Context is everything. Good communication also means knowing how much of it to give and when.
Medium, mood, location, and timing are also considerations. Ask yourself some questions:
Could something be communicated in an email or does it require a meeting?
How many times do you need to follow up with the communication – once or several times?
How is your team’s morale?
Do they really need to hear what you have to say right now – or can it wait for a more strategic time?
What kind of response are you hoping for?
If you have the option of choosing your location, are you in a spot where everyone can hear you and pay attention?
Don’t be afraid to give the bare minimum amount of information when you aren’t sure what to say or if you should say anything at all. Let your team know you will follow up soon and what additional information they can expect.
Sometimes, no matter how thoughtful you are in your approach, people will not be glad to receive the information you have to deliver. But, with practice and foresight, you can communicate with clarity, brevity, and be respectful while you do it.
Onward. Together. Always.