Page 62 - The Voice of Authority

deliver the message. Those managers and supervisors
lower in the organization have even less help in shaping
their messages—yet their communication with their direct
reports is what matters most in the day-to-day operations.
And if you’re a leader of a project team, a committee, or
other group without an official title, you have even less ac-
cess to assistants, consultants, technology, and budget to
get your message out. But as a leader and go-to person who
shapes opinions of those around you, your communica-
tion becomes critical to daily success.
Everybody has to measure how clearly he or she com-
municates. The most basic question to ask: Do people “get
it”? Do they understand the goal—the what, the why, and
the how?

What a Hoot When People Convolute

Clear messages start with clear words. Clear words lead to
clear action. Fuzzy words result in fuzzy action or no ac-
tion.
Here are a couple of excerpts from documents gathered
through the years—written by otherwise well-educated
people:

“The efficiency with which an operation utilizes its
available equipment is an influential factor in pro-
ductivity.”
Translation: “If you use your equipment efficiently,
you can do more.”

Not exactly a profound concept.

“The current Division B headcount exceeds the re-
quirements to support the current revenue level and

50 The Voice of Authority