Most of us love sharing information, especially on a subject that we are passionate about. We tend to provide a comprehensive collection of what we know. We deliver a brain dump that overwhelms and confuses people. To be a good communicator, there are three mistakes you want to avoid.
- Attempt to share too much
Clarity and conciseness speak volumes. There is no need to pour over details that make little difference to the key messages you want to convey. When you try to share too much all at once, you end up distracting others from the key messages. For example, you want to get attention on the performance of the data entry team. You would share your concerns and causes that hinder performance. You don’t want to say too much about getting temporary relief. The simpler you keep the message, the better. - Assume others know the background
This is the reverse of the first mistake. You assume others are fully aware of how the issue arose. Without providing the context on cause and why the subject is worthy of attention, others might not understand the significance and could mis-interpret the focus. For instance, you task a team leader to streamline the process for onboarding new hires. Without explaining the focus of the improvement, the team leader might seek to shorten the process and neglect to put adequate emphasis on areas that cause confusion. - Use technical lingo
Having worked in your field for a while, you get accustomed to the lingo you use. When others don’t ask questions, it doesn’t imply that they fully understand. For example, the word ‘system’ could mean a software application, or an operations practice for a business unit. Subsequently, when you want to conduct a “system review”, it could imply a review of an application to others when in fact, you meant a full review of the operational practice. As a consultant, I’ve learned not to assume but seek clarification.
A good communicator needs to be brief and clear. The main goal is to convey what you want in a manner that is easy to understand. Overloading others with ‘vivid’ details could cause indigestion and confusion.
About the Author
Connie Siu, President, CDC Synectics Inc.
Connie Siu is passionate about building high performance businesses through strategic clarity and optimal resource utilization. She helps companies develop best practices to improve productivity and efficiency, and leverage technology to drive sustainable results.
She is the author of Get Results that Count. She has been featured in The Globe and Mail, The Sounding Board, Update Magazine, and Alltop. Connie has published over 100 articles and podcasts on productivity and efficiency improvement. Visit her website www.cdcsynectics.com for insights and ideas on how to better leverage your company’s resources or contact Connie to discuss your challenges.
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