So You Think You Are Communicating?

The message we all too often give to clients is that “you are not really communicating” with your staff or clients. Most often the messages are heard but not understood. Or, as General Motors CEO Mary Bara states, the challenge is “head nodders.” Those are people who say yes by nodding their heads and then doing just what they were doing before. So how do you really get things done?

By explaining the “Why” in order to get the “What” accomplished. And then following up with holding folks accountable for implementation, not just letting them drift off into their past format.

Becoming an effective presenter and communicator does take practice. You need to show how to solve problems, help your staff and partners achieve their goals, contribute to their well being and sometimes even entertain.

Develop an inventory of communication approaches for various settings and concerns. Consider what follow up is needed, and by whom, to implement the matters under discussion. Use collateral and social media where appropriate, whether for internal communication in the firm or with clients.

Clients – ahh – an entirely different set of communication parameters are needed. More on that next post.