Communication starts and stops all effective collaborations. Some of the causes of ineffective communication are a mixture of both organizational and human factors. The human factors are mental, behavioural and emotional, such as the following:
1. Poor listening skills
2. Lack of focus or mental disorganization
3. Impatience and arrogance
4. The tendency to assume instead of double-check
5. Uncontrolled emotional attachment or response to the information
6. Disinterest in the information or task
7. Refusal to clarify or follow up
8. Fatigue or burnout
People who display these and similar interpersonal inadequacies put themselves, their communication partners, and those affected by the information in a dangerous position. They send and receive only partial and possibly incorrect information and consequently they create time consuming double work, confusion, frustration and conflict. In this case, communication will not improve if behaviours and mindset do not change.
One of the most important ways leaders can practice effective communication is to continuously express their intent or vision for the direction of their team, department or organization in a positive and energized manner. That being said, there are two essentials here: 1) having a clear intent or vision, the direction you are taking the team, department or organization and 2) the ability to communicate with clarity and daily consistency, that intent, vision, and direction to the folks at the front line of the team, department or organization.
A leader’s intent is critical to expressing the desire for the daily operations, and it is vital that all the team members clearly understand this intent as they begin to go about their daily business. A Leader’s Intent, clearly and effectively communicated in a positive and energized manner, allows all team members to understand not only what is expected of them in their individual performance but how their individual performance impacts the overall goals and daily mission of the entire organization.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.