Page 16 - The Voice of Authority

Constant reminders from you to others to take ac-
tion, meet deadlines, or send information
Frequent requests for more information about top-
ics or issues that you think you’ve already addressed
sufficiently
Feeling of disconnection and discomfort in one-on-
one and small-group interactions
Lack of positive feedback about your presentations or
documents (from those not obligated to give it)

Symptoms of Poor Communication
in Your Organization

Again, ask executives if their organizations communicate
well and chances are you’ll hear a resounding yes. But ask
those a little lower in the ranks and you may hear other-
wise. These symptoms crop up:

Conflicting goals and objectives (Susan wants to cut
costs; Sam wants to increase revenue.)
Conflicting priorities (Su Lin wants her sales staff
trained before they get in front of customers; Dupree
wants his staff in front of customers as soon as pos-
sible, with or without all the obligatory training.)
Conflicting schedules
Left-hand, right-hand blindness (Division A doesn’t
know what Division B is doing and often duplicates—
or complicates—their work.)
Turf wars
Unclear values
Low morale; people doing just enough to “get by”

4 The Voice of Authority