Here’s breaking news – Even the BEST communicators need to constantly work on their effective communication! Larry Henry, Owner/Producer of Two Floors Down Productions interviewed me on why I created the patented strategy – Be Direct with Respect®. This week’s post contains information on why effective communication affects the bottom line. Please listen to the short podcast below.
I developed Be Direct with Respect because many of clients were having a hard time getting their team to speak directly with each other when there was a conflict. Being honest in a direct way is difficult for some of them. They were either too direct and didn’t know any other way to communicate. Or they didn’t tell the truth due to fear of retaliation or getting fired.
It became apparent that effective communication was lacking for both leaders and employees. The biggest reason was that they didn’t know how to be direct. They never learned this skill in school. Some of them were told that it was rude to be blunt.
Ignoring conflict will affect the bottom line. Do you work in a culture where every team member speaks directly yet respectfully to anyone on the team when a customer is treated with disrespect or phone calls are ignored? Most of the people who I interviewed laughed when I asked them the question about effective communication. They told me the team is silent during meetings because leaders don’t encourage honest communication. Ouch!
Leaders need to decide how to communicate effectively to their team with both good and bad news especially when there will be budget cuts or certain team members don’t pull their weight.
The next few sentences will be a review for many of you who are loyal readers. After you read the examples decide if you need a refresher on how to use be direct with respect. You will find more articles on effective communication by searching past blog posts.
Effective Communication Case Scenario #1
Several team members are complaining more than ever. It doesn’t matter if you are a leader or not. The main idea is the negativity is starting to get old and becoming the norm.
Here is one possible effective communication strategy:
I am frustrated when I hear all the complaining because this is affecting the entire team. Let’s reboot and start to look at what the company is doing for us.
Effective Communication Case Scenario #2
Certain team members roll their eyes when others speak at weekly meetings. This negative behavior goes on way too much in the workplace.
Here’s one possible effective communication strategy:
I am concerned when ideas are discounted because we decided as a team to start accepting each other’s differences. We need more work in this area.
Let’s Get Real
The two effective communication case scenarios are examples of how productive be direct with respect can be once the skill is mastered. My clients ask me to coach their team and leaders to improve morale, communication, and even unproductive meetings. I encourage them to practice these skills with each other during the training and long after our time together is over. Companies have the best success when they constantly practice being open and honest with each other in a productive way. Humor sure does help!
I want to hear from you
Please add your comments or send me your questions on what is and what is not working with your company’s communication.
You will receive a response from me because I enjoy connecting with my loyal readers! 🙂
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Loyal readers like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts. Help us help them reduce conflict and improve leadership skills and quality of life.
This is Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach
Until next time, Remember…”You Get What You Tolerate!”
PS Learn how I can leverage my 30+ years of communication and leadership consulting experience to help your organization experience my customized workshops here.
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