“To effectively communicate, we must realise that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” ~ Tony Robbins
Last weeks blog “Has Technology Killed Leadership” received quite a lot of feedback. I wasn’t surprised that it was mostly in support of the theory and some had some strong views against it! The thing I am pleased with is it has created conversation.
I’ve spoken with a few people about the challenge of how to stop relying on technology when it is favoured as the most time efficient and effective way of getting things happening in a chaotic workplace. Challenging indeed!
The time it can take to get up from your chair, go and find the person you need to have a chat with, wait while they finish their conversation only to find they have an appointment to get to can be really frustrating. Or worse, you do pick up the phone and it goes to voice mail. In that time you could have sent an email or text ensuring the ball is now in their court rather than yours. Mission accomplished, you are onto the next thing.
Many of us have fallen into the trap of doing these things and not getting the best results possible. The forgotten art of communicating in person can achieve so much more in less time – we just need to remember how to do it!
Remember the times before mobile phone were even invented (Gen Y’s this will be hard for you to comprehend!)? We would arrange to meet someone and we’d be on time. We’d ensure we were clear in where and when we would meet someone. We’d leave enough time to get to our destination and ensure the person we were meeting wouldn’t be kept waiting. How refreshing would that be now! The amount of times people rely on texting or phoning to advise people they will be late thinking it’s ok is phenomenal. And let’s not start talking about the medical profession here!
We’re never going to be ready to change. But for the sake of real leadership, real connection and better communication we need to. And we might make a mess of things at the start and that’s ok! After all, changing behaviour isn’t easy. But a positive change in behaviour is courageous and it’s leadership. We need true leaders to lead this change. To demonstrate it can be done, even in the chaotic and demanding world we live in.
So get up off your chair and go and have the conversation you need to. Arrange a round table meeting to achieve the outcome that 100 emails back and fourth involving 10 or more people will achieve in less time with much more clarity. Build a connection with those who are important to you, your team, your associates, your family, your friends.
Change your habit. Change your outcome.