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Jul 24 2013

Leadership is Communication: Keeping it Under Control

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Leadership is Communication: Keeping it Under Control

The email came early in the morning. It was from the senior leader from another division providing yet another excuse for why they would not be able to complete their part of the project on time. The project was my responsibility and their repeated delays were making me look pretty ineffective. I forwarded that email to my boss with several well chosen, and none too professional comments about this other division.

In my anger, I hit “reply” instead of “forward” and sent the email back to that senior leader.

Fortunately, my boss helped smooth that over, but his help would not have been necessary if I had taken a moment to control my emotions before communicating.

You have many stressors in your role as a leader. The trick is to keep your communication professional and under control at all times. Here are a few tips to help.

1. Don’t use profanity. There are those who feel there is a time for the occasional well-chosen word and perhaps that’s true. It’s best not to get in the habit though as most people will be offended and possibly loose the message you’re trying to convey. Interestingly, this is even true for those who use colorful language in their own communication.

2. Never speak, or write, when you’re angry. Words said in anger rarely get the point across well.

3. Remember, the written word lives forever these days. Give very careful consideration to everything you write.

In communicating, a little restraint goes a long way.

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