Say Goodbye to Loose Communication

I love words.

Give me a vision statement, a thesaurus and some engaging conversation and we will get the right words to capture the essence of the vision. Give me an employee offense, Black's Law Dictionary and the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) Guide and I will give you a charge statement in 10 words or less that captures the nuance of the offense in a clear, concise, and sustainable way. 

The bar is set high. Words are the building blocks of a complete communication and every word has a precise and  particular meaning of its own. No all-employee communication, report of meeting, or piece of correspondence crosses my desk without some rewrite. Drives people crazy but I can't help myself.

Respect the word and use words purposefully and sparingly in your communications. Certain words can evoke strong negative emotions, defensiveness or self-doubt. Others can get the very same message across in a non threatening way or bring a positive light to a less than positive situation.

And I am not talking about using word to spin a message. I am talking about using words for authentic and conscious communication. I dislike loose communication. Loose communication can leave questions unanswered, omit pertinent information, misinterpret facts or assume connections between facts that do not exist. Loose communication can be flat out inaccurate. Loose communication can leave those on the receiving end with more questions than they come into the conversation with, riled up, or extremely frustrated. Loose communications always reflects poorly on the communicators and often on the group, team, or project the communicator is representing.

Communicators, think before you speak. What is the purpose of the communication? Is it a call to action, to discuss an issue for added insight, or to build a relationship? What message do you want to deliver and how do you want it to be received? What words will you use? What do you anticipate the listener's concerns will be? How will you address them? Do you have your facts together? Do your facts support your conclusion?

Communicators, be prepared to listen. Listen more than you speak and listen for understanding. Watch for verbal clues to determine the receiver, your partner in the conversation, is ready to switch topics, has something to say, or is ready to conclude.

If you find yourself responding to other's questions, comments or feedback by saying, "well, that's what I meant," it's time to tighten your communication belt. Do it now.

Exit A Funk and Seize The Day

I've been in a little bit of a funk lately.

Nothing dramatic, just a little restlessness. I am not exercising like I was. I am tired of my hair, glasses, and clothes. I want to move my department forward quicker, connect with others more, and do something different with my blog. The family is always on the run and we have little time to just be - together.

This is not my first funk and it will not be my last. I have been in and out of enough funks to consider myself somewhat proficient in funk navigation.

Would you believe that I find myself welcoming the funk? Each funk should come with a big sign, learning opportunity up ahead, because I learn something about myself and my choices each and ever time. After I make a change, it seems I can't imagine ever going back to the way it was before.

Entering a Funk

A funk is not generally an overall positive experience. A funk can bring you down, cause you to question your competence, sap your confidence, or blur your vision.

You may notice that you are working longer but not accomplishing more, fighting harder to hold your ground, finding fault with others or questioning the value of what you are doing. You may begin to take business decisions personally or blame all of your woes on another person. You may sulk. You may cry. Your fight or flight response may kick in to high gear and you may begin developing your exit (read: avoidance) strategy.

You may inadvertently let a funk control you.The longer you stay in a funk, the harder it is to get out. Do what you must for 48 hours and then stop. Stop sulking, stop blaming others, stop questioning your competence, stop being your own worst critic, stop minimizing your contributions, and stop letting the funk control you.

Exiting a Funk

You control the funk! A funk is not going to go away on its own so exiting a funk is up to you. How do you exit a funk? I haven't heard it said any better than in this recent Twitter update from Chris Brogan.

chrisbrogan I never exit a funk without a renewed battle plan.

So, repeat after me, "how do you exit your funk? With a battle plan!"A funk is my sign that I am letting fear take control and either not taking responsibility for something I should be taking responsibility for or, conversely, avoiding something I should be addressing.

What is your funk telling you? Quiet the ego, open your eyes and look no further than yourself for the answers. Talk to a coach, friend or trusted colleague.

• Avoiding a difficult conversation? Have it.
• Living beyond your means? See a financial planner.
• Want to improve your writing? Send your posts off for a critique.
• Not happy with you weight or fitness level? Hire a personal trainer.
• Looking for career enhancement? Find a mentor or enroll in some courses.

Being Brave

Developing a battle plan is not as easy as I made it sound above. In fact, it can be very difficult. Working your way through a funk can be much like driving in a storm yet there is something for you on the other side if you take responsibility, stay with it, and keep moving forward.

It is only a matter of time before you find yourself in a funk. When you do, seize control, make a change, and above all, be brave.