by Mike Osredker

There are many daily newsletters that find their way to my inbox and one in particular usually has a number in the headline.  You know the type – “5 ways to …,” or “Ten things you need to know for ….”  I looked back over the last quarter’s topics (which reminds me I should clean out my email folders!) and was a bit surprised to see just how many of the headlines were related to communication of one sort or another at the executive or leadership level.  Timely, effective communication is important for aligning the team, resolving issues as they come up, and sharing lessons learned to expand competence in the organization.

My guideposts for any communication are pretty simple. Sometimes I get caught up in the use of certain phrases or buzzwords and I have to catch myself by focusing on the following reminders.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. If you have ever had to clear your head after a conversation or speech by boiling the words down to their real meaning, you know this issue.  Make it easy for your audience.  Think about what you want your audience of one or one hundred to remember…stay on message and use clear language.  Don’t trigger any fluff detectors.

Listen for a response. When your message is heard, your audience will respond.  What did they say with their words, their body language, or their silence?  Do you know that your message was successfully delivered?  Ask your audience what they heard.

Follow up and follow through. If you made a commitment to get back to someone with a response or clarification, your credibility is enhanced when you follow through.  Your team will infer from your behavior what is acceptable in the organization.  Be sure to model what you expect from others.

You and your team are consistently exposed to a wide variety of messages every day.  Make your message stand out in 2010 by following these simple guidelines.