3 rules for growth communication

The news has been filled with unclear communication, spin control and the inability to admit a mistake. How are we suppose to grow as a country if we can't even communicate effectively?

The same goes for your business. If you want to grow your business communication must follow these three rules.

Rule #1 Be open and honest

A friend of mine was telling me about a blind date he had with a woman he met on the internet. Toward the end of the date she asked him if he thought she looked like her picture. He told her he felt that a picture was just a moment captured and didn't really indicate who she is in her personality, interests and total beauty. (Is that smooth or what?) He then asked her the same question; does he look like his picture. She told him in real life he looked older, more weathered and not as attractive. Well, thank you very much!

Honesty, doesn't have to be brutal; in fact, I've seen people use it as a weapon to bludgeon someone, usually followed by the words, "Just being honest." We need to be open to communications when people have ideas different than our own. Constructive feedback can improve the operations in an organization. However, communication with malice, no matter how honest, will not grow an organization. Be sure your communications have a greater focus on the intent of the message to be delivered than on the side and hidden meanings that can create confusion, damage and duplicitous agendas.

Rule #2 Respond, don't react

President Obama inflamed the situation between the white officer and the arrested black Harvard professor, who happens to be the President's friend, elevating it to a significant news story of the past week.

By commenting the police department acted stupidly without having all the facts of the situation, the President demonstrated the dangers of reacting to a situation. Later after learning more about the arresting officer and the facts of the situation, his semi-retraction of his words indicate he commented hastily. A reaction is emotional and a response is logical, the difference can be significant when you are trying to make progress and growth in any situation.

Side note: Since I am talking about communications here I have to say I believe the President would’ve been better served with an apology for his choice of words than in saying "I should've calibrated them differently." It is this type of double talk and indirect communication that causes people to distrust the person talking. I don't care what position you hold, if you make a mistake, admit it and move along.

Rule #3 Be clear in what you are saying

I watched the President's press secretary try to respond to a direct question from a reporter who asked, "Did the President apologize to the arresting officer for his remarks?" The press secretary spent many seconds during his response searching for words without saying the words, "Sorry," "Apology," or "Retraction." The song and dance was obvious and painful to watch. Why was it painful? Because a leader who declares transparency will occur under his watch and has the inability to utter the words, "I apologize" instead uses the term, "I should have calibrated my words differently." Is not living into his promise.

It is no different than an executive surveying employees for feedback telling them he will respond to their concerns, and later does nothing with the information. Trust is lost and cynicism increases: two of the worst things that can happen from poor communication.

If you want to grow your organization make sure your communications help you, not hurt you.