By Steve Adubato, PhD
Have you ever noticed that some people in the workplace have a tendency to use mushy language? I'm talking about senior level executives and others who get up to give a presentation and say things like; "I think if we possibly move forward on project x, we might be able to accomplish our goals in the not so distant future." What's that suppose to mean?
By Steve Adubato, PhD
Last year, this column highlighted a really dumb use of e-mail by Cerner Corporation CEO Neal Patterson. Patterson was growing increasingly angry with his employees for what he perceived to be a lack of effort. He thought he was saving time by sending a mass e-mail out to over 400 employees, which in part stated the following:
By Steve Adubato, PhD
"Mets Ponder Position on Piazza" (Star Ledger) "Mets Blow It Again. Announce Piazza Will Begin Shift to First-Before Telling Him" (NY Post)
Excuse another example from the world of baseball on how not to lead and communicate in the world of business, but the case of Mike Piazza and the Mets is too good to ignore. This is a story about the Mets and their star player Mike Piazza, whose days as a catcher are numbered and will soon be playing first base. But the lesson here is relevant for any manager who must show true leadership by communicating difficult news to an important team member for the overall good of the team.
By Steve Adubato, PhD
So, you think you are a really good listener? How do you know? Have you ever asked others if you appear to be engaged and interested in what they have to say? Probably not. Most of us don't think much about our communication competence when it comes to listening.
When asked how good a communicator we are, we often measure ourselves in the areas of public speaking or platform skills. However, real communication competence has as much to do with effective and empathetic listening as it does anything else.
By Steve Adubato, PhD
Great communication is about connecting with someone about something that matters to both of you. This kind of human, personal and somewhat visceral connection is all too rare in our lives-be it at work or in our personal lives. Sometimes, the person communicating is clueless that they haven't connected-or that a connection is either necessary or required. Other times, a communicator wants to connect or "get on the same page" with someone and they lack the skills and tools to accomplish it.
By Steve Adubato, PhD
We rarely communicate as effectively as we think we do. Effective communication is defined as message sent equals message received. Sounds simple, right? Wrong!
By Steve Adubato, PhD
Many organizations say all the right things about strategic planning: "We just had a two-day strategic planning retreat" or "We need to do our strategic plan." Yet, talking the talk about strategic planning is not the same as walking the walk. Others have a decidedly negative view of strategic planning: "We don't have time to do a strategic plan. Plus, things are constantly changing, so what's the point of having a plan we are never going to use?"