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.