A dam serves a purpose. Typically utilized for water, a dam holds the flow of water in such a manner as to create an entirely new landscape where water flowed freely previously. Now the water builds up and forms a lake, or a reservoir, as the dam stops the flow of the water. If we stop there and assess if this strategy would work or not, regarding your communication skills in building a successful business, what do you think?
The ability to build a business built for success is dependent upon the leader’s ability to communicate effectively. What is your business owner personality profile? When there are things that go wrong or you see something that is not done the way you want it to be, how do you handle the situation? Are you the type who just steps in and fixes whatever it is so it is done just right to your expectations? Then you do not take the opportunity to train or teach the people on your team about what you expect and what took place? Better yet, ask why it was done the way it was done and see if it is possible that this is a better or more efficient method than what you were looking for.
The person who typically holds back and let’s their dislikes for what they see become bottled up and ready to boil over, is a potentially toxic situation. One day everything will come spilling out and most likely without a meaningful or productive outcome for the business or the team; similar to a dam which forms a crack or a leak. The correct method of handling situations is to permit you to remain in a calm state. For some people this will mean you need a bit of time to reflect and assess before you react to a situation. For other people they have the ability to immediately react and offer feedback to their employee or team.
Each situation is unique. There will be certain instances when a one on one discussion would be the appropriate reaction. There will be other times when the entire team should be involved in the communication. You will know. Trust your instincts. If you have ever been called a ‘hot-head’ or ‘short tempered’ – odds are you are a candidate for waiting for a time period before reacting and giving some feedback.
Do you see yourself in this article? A quality business coach will be able to work with you on this exact issue. Contact Mitch Tublin today for an appointment and become the effective leader and communicator you want to be – info@easysmallbusinesssolutions.com or call 877-907-8223.
Mitch,
Communication is KEY. So many times people “think” that their expectations are known when they haven’t clearly communicated them. The only way to know is to clearly ask and tell.
Write on!~
Lisa Manyon
Lisa,
…and listen…
Mitch
In our ‘instant’ world these days it’s so easy to think that our communication
can be done abruptly as well, but more often than not, good communication requires that time to reflect and assess as you mentioned Mitch. Great reminders about communication!
Sheila,
It is sad but true, face to face communication skills are becoming a lost skill set.
Mitch
The dammed up communications is always dangerous and leads to sabotaging one’s own business. Good metaphor!
Sue,
What I see which amazes me is the CEO who is asking to work with me, who is the problem and the bottleneck and yet does not realize yet, they are the problem.
Mitch
Communication is very important and includes the nonverbal. Setting up positive expectations and a belief in a positive outcome is equally as important as what is said out loud. You get back what you put out there. Katherine.
Katherine,
Face to face and skype are the way to go when working with a client one on one for exactly these reasons.
Mitch