At the Movies

OK, I admit it, I was one of the millions (or is it billions?) who watched the Oscars on Sunday night.  Yes, I love the fashion hits and misses (especially the misses), the presenters, and the staging of this annual love fest to the movies.  I love movies and was interested in which one was going to be Best Movie.  This year I’ve actually seen several of the movies nominated, unlike other years when I’ve maybe seen one or none.  I loved the family dynamics and George Clooney in The Descendants; was amazed by the effects and wonderful story in Hugo; cried for the awfulness of war in War Horse; and was charmed and completely mesmerized by The Artist.

After The Artist won, it occurred to me that as communicators there’s a lot to be learned from The Artist.  Just think, this is a movie with only 2 spoken words, and yet, we understand everything about the characters and their lives.  The actors’ body language and facial expressions were powerful communicators.  Sometimes it’s not so much what’s said aloud, but what our bodies and faces are saying for us.  Communication is as much about what’s not being spoken or written as it is about the messages we’re unconsciously sending.

What is our body language saying?  Are we unconsciously undermining our spoken words, or, are we reinforcing our message?  Even when writing we sometimes use confusing words, and don’t reinforce the messages we’re trying to send.  Whether speaking or writing, to be effective, messages need to be clear and unambiguous.

Faster Isn't Necessary Better

How much thought do we really give communication?  It’s one of the most important things we do.  We all communicate, some very well… others not so well.  It doesn’t matter what we do or how we live our lives, we all communicate.  Whether we tweet, blog, text, Facebook, LinkedIn, Skype friends and families, write a note, talk on the phone, etc., it’s all communication.

How we communicate is as important as what we communicate.  Our language is fluid, and so are our communications.  Yesterday on a news show, the commentator talked about texting.  He described how his son had responded to a question with ‘IDK.’  He had to ask what that meant.  For those of us not in the know – it’s ‘I don’t know.’  Sentences are being reduced to letters to facilitate faster communication.  So much of our language is being shortened, and not all of us know the new language.  Contrary to popular belief, shorter is not necessarily faster or better. 

If people are confused or not up on the latest texting or tweeting language, then we aren’t communicating effectively.  We may come across as ‘hip’ or ‘cool,’ but if our audience doesn’t understand, it doesn’t matter how hip or cool we are.  Sometimes it’s better to say what you mean and mean what you say, even if it takes longer.

If you’re interested in getting up- to-date on some of the new ‘language,” here’s a link that should help:  http://www.webopedia.com/quick_ref/textmessageabbreviations.asp

Business Jargon

Do you ever think about the ‘business-speak’ we hear in our offices, in meetings, on television done by the talking heads, and heaven knows politicians have gotten into the act? I came across an interesting article on www.finance.yahoo.com that quoted from an article from Forbes. I tried to remember back in the ‘dark ages’…you know, that time before we created synergy and leveraged our knowledge/jobs/data. Communication seemed much clearer and simpler.

There was a time when we didn’t create synergy, we cooperated with each other. We didn’t leverage anything, we controlled a situation. When did we stop speaking and writing in plain English? Maybe we need to stop trying to manage knowledge/data/products, and begin using language that says what it means and means what it say. Maybe we need to start creating bridges to understanding each other. Just a thought. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-most-annoying--pretentious-and-useless-business-jargon.html

Changing Your Communication Style

I was reminded today that an organization that resists change and innovation is not going to be or stay profitable.  Successful companies can’t afford to rest on their laurels or be set in their ways.  Look at Kodak.  They made a few innovations, but it appears that most of its innovations were too little too late.  Businesses that continue to work and communicate in the same old ways are in for a shock.  Everything changes, including communication methods.  If your communications are ‘sort of’ working or not working at all, then why continue to do the same old things? 

There have been amazing changes in communication methods in the past five years.  Think -- how will it change in the next five?  What are you doing to communicate better, faster, clearer?  Organizations today need to be as lean and quick as possible.  If communications are cumbersome, tangled in ambiguity, and/ or misleading, how can an organization profitably pursue its goals?  Finding ways to detangle and simplify your communications will help define your organizational purpose, and build a bridge to better communication. 

Barriers to Good Communication

Do you ever think about what causes barriers in communicating?  How often are you confused by some communication you receive or hear?  How often do you say to someone, “No, you don’t understand,” after you’ve tried to express a message or concept in what you thought was clear terms?  Why does this happen? 

The best teachers and communicators understand that it often isn’t the recipient’s fault, it’s the communicator.  We aren’t clear in getting our messages out.  We have a responsibility to communicate clearly and concisely, and when we don’t our messages get lost.  This is the same thing that happens in businesses.  Maybe the person communicating isn’t clear on what he or she is trying to say or write, or the language used is confusing.  To communicate effectively we’ve got to have a clear idea of what we’re communicating. 

Our best communications happen when the message sent is the same message received.  In almost every case, communication is best served by using the clearest and simplest terms.  Communicating in clear, direct language is a more effective company strategy than using unfamiliar jargon, inappropriate cultural terms, or words that lead to confusing or ambiguous meanings. Clear, effective communication helps avoid misunderstandings, and clears the way for a more efficient and effective work environment.

Communication Flow

Earlier this week I was thinking about how communication flows in an organization? Companies can be thought of as mini global units, as most communications are global within their own organizations. Communications go up, down, side-to-side, and out into the world. In most businesses, employees and management communicate good news, bad news, project reports, status reports, and more up and down the organizational ladder, and often the same information is communicated laterally. Communications also go out to clients in the guise of press releases, proposals, emails, and project reports.

I've seen too many company communications that aren't clear, and don’t represent the company's message. Too often employees, management, and outside recipients find themselves confused about the message being communicated. Just getting your message out doesn't always convey what you're trying to say. I believe intent and execution are key to ensuring good communication flow no matter in which direction you're communicating.

Listening as a Communication Tool

I’ve found myself watching and listening to the “talking heads” on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, getting all the divergent opinions.  One of the things I’ve noticed that is fairly consistent across the networks is the tendency of every one on these programs to talk at once.  Often times, I hear someone say “if you would just listen to me….,” And then everyone goes off again.  Yes, this is a very contrary, difficult political climate, and yes it is a time of posturing for the upcoming election; however, how can you effectively communicate if you’re not listening?

How many times have you been in a meeting and it’s apparent that few people are really listening?  Too often we sit trying to figure out what we’re going to say next that will prove our point.  What could be solved if we just listened?  Interesting idea, yes?  I have found that the most effective way to communicate is to listen.  Our ears can be very effective communication tools. 

Communicating Just Right

 

I had lunch with a friend recently, and she talked for about the communication problems she was experiencing at work.  She works for a non-profit organization, so written and verbal communication are very important within her group.  She said she often felt that either she didn’t get enough information or she got entirely too much.  She also believes that the organization as a whole is not getting all the information necessary to ensure objectives were being given priority and met. 

As in most non-profits, information is essential to pursue the key objectives of the group.  In this organization, volunteers and information to volunteers is vital to keep everything running smoothly.  This organization is having a difficult time finding and maintaining ‘just right’ communication.  Like Goldilocks, how do we know what is ‘just right?’

Whether an organization is large or small, sometimes managers have a tendency to hoard information.  Or, they give out more information than necessary.  How do we know what’s ‘just right’?  Have you determined how you want communication to work in your company?  What’s your communication policy?  What information is necessary to keep everyone informed.  What needs to be kept secure?  There is a happy medium, and that’s what organizations need to find.  What keeps everyone informed, but maintains company security?  Once you can answer these questions, then you’ll have the answer to what’s ‘just right’ for you and your company.