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200 words, Act, clarity, communicate, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, Foreign language, leadership, message, motivate, passion, perception, words
If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter. ~ Gilbert Amelio
I wiped the sweat away from my forehead with the back of my hand and pointed to the ocean.
He raised his eyebrows questioningly.
Caliente. Mucho.
Que?
Have you ever tried to get a point across in a foreign language?
What if I told you that it can be just as difficult when both parties speak the same language.
A few years back a colleague was becoming increasingly agitated that some staff still didn’t know the direction and vision of our organization.
“We have to tell them,” I offered.
“We have told them. We sent that email…brought it up at the all-staff meeting, they’re just not listening!”
Words are a tricky thing. Even one word alone can mean a host of things to a host of people. If people are percieving the message in a way we did not intend, is that really their fault?
Perception is reality
If people aren’t hearing what you’re saying – maybe it’s time to change the way you’re saying it.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
talktodiana 
This is my favourite blog post you’ve ever done. Just so you know
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Really? Make me some fries!
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Hugely, hugely, hugely true. And, I have come to realize, a serious flaw of mine. I’ve tried so hard for decades to teach others, sometimes in classes, but more often through technical writing, and I’ve been crushed by my low success rate with my “students.” Part of the problem is that my areas of knowledge tend to be somewhat arcane and not terribly interesting to most people. But a big part seems an inability to express myself in a way that others can hear.
One goal of my blogging is to work on that.
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When it’s truly communication we desire, we find a way to first listen and then communicate effectively, don’t you think?
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I guess. Apparently a skill I have yet to master, since I have a strong sense I’m not getting through to people the way I want to. I feel like I understand them pretty clearly, but it always seems very one-way.
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don’t give up!
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The old “Do as I say, not as I do…” method doesn’t work anymore (and never did; ). Your examples of “Respect is earned, not deserved” are right on the money.
Is it any wonder that people don’t understand if they’re hearing one message, but actually seeing the opposite? “Lead by example…” There’s a million of them, isn’t there? Or “Do unto others…” – such a simple message, but SO hard to walk that skinny line between who we want to be and who we’re being…
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so true Deb! And sometimes when you’re the only one playing fairly by the rules, yet others are still seemingly succeeding, the temptation to cut corners begins to have a strong pull! Still even if I’m the only who knows, that should be enough. What do you think?
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Absolutely! Your own sense of honour has to come first; you’ve gotta walk the walk, not just talk the talk; otherwise, how can you say anything, or expect more of anyone else? It all leads right back to that “respect is earned” thing, eh?
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And the harder it is to do the stronger you have to be about it!
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: )
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(Oh yeah, and hypocrites suck!; )
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😉
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I have had the pleasure to work with a manager that was part of her team. She connected with each member individually and made the human connection. I remember that her motto was manage your people and they in turn will manage your process. We as leaders need to talk to people and not at them. Guide the first few steps and soon they fly. I am a living example of this. We are after all humans first and foremost and that’s what makes up the organisation…..In my opinion
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Yes Roxy so true! I always say and organization is the people and the people are our greatest resource!
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How many times have you heard something, and you think, ‘they finally get it?’ A momentary explosion of euphoria for the understanding.
In only a short time, you realize, nothing’s changed. Related circumstances maintain themselves as a constant. Why?
They said what, you wanted to hear, and, in their minds, it was never really said, anyway. Those are mere smokescreens to maintain the momentary peace. The communication was succinct, and to the point but, merely a lie.
No finer demonstration of, as in the comment above, actions supersede words.
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Yes the old adage “I can’t hear what you’re saying, your actions speak louder than your words,” often applies.
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I think that you have to tell them and then you have to show them – I have watched the company I work for develop and then implement mission statements and talk about vision. That’s all good. It’s been posted everywhere (including the bathrooms) – but what really kicked it in for me was when our CEO made a decision based solely on that statement – not P&Ls, not PR – but on that mission statement. That induced me to follow along.
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Yes I agree! I worked for a homeless agency that was all about serving and the thing that clinched it for me was when I say the ED cleaning a toilet! Now that’s serving! Back then I was a volunteer and I grabbed his rag and said, I’ll do this…
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Actions – even better than words 🙂
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Perception has been on my mind a great deal lately. Our own really does shape our reality. I’m glad they’re changeable!
Hope your week’s off to a great start.
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Yes it does and yes it is – even the snow can’t bring me down!
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Oh so true, girl! ♥ Thanks for the great “thinker” ~
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Thanks for stopping by!
xo
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Well I had to google for the real lyrics of the song, print them out, then follow them with the music. The singers enunciation is truly appalling.Following the whole thing, with the replaced words, was actually very funny. I do not know where you come up with these ideas, but it was brilliant.
It brightened my day 🙂
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haha my brother shared that video with me some time back. It’s become an inside family joke. We use phrases from the vid with each other like make me fries, or potato wave, etc. 😉
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the leader who can’t elucidate his vision is almost the norm. Almost EVERY problem in business I have seen is related to communication.
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That doesn’t surprise me!
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Haha it’s Saturday, not Sunday! I put this out a day early!! I kill me! 🙂
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hah, I also thought it was Sunday and then I saw your post and got it confirmed….yup, Sunday. 😀
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haha that’s funny – sorry for any inconvenience I caused. 🙂
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I think sometimes it’s not about what is said or how it’s said, but it’s about respect, human connection and trust. Leadership from inside out. If leaders don’t have one of those from the staff (and vice versa), they don’t have anything. Most leaders take diverse courses developing their skills, focus on their image as a leader, but many of them don’t know what are their personal core values as leaders, because inside they are disconnected. They don’t know their real cause, purpose (not only profit!), the goals are not enough. We need authentic leaders who lead inside out. ahhh, can talk just go on and on about this topic. ;)… Superb post!
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I hear what you’re saying Kristi…sometimes I think in this MBA world where many think a degree is all you need to run any type of organization regardless of one’s experience in a certain field or sector, we have lost the connection to personal and core values – we have lost leaders who have passion.
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Maybe it’s me….but sometimes I think the more experience a leader has, the less inflexible the leader is (not always) to learn new things, to improve, be passionate…..new leaders have the drive and passion still alive (again this is perhaps stereotype) but I speak from personal observation. I like what Richard Branson has said, if a CEO sits in the corner at the company’s party, then everyone will sit and have boring conversations…..but if the leader dares to jump into pool, show the way, then everyone will do the same and have a great time. I think we need more leaders who dare to jump into pool more often. It boils down to communicating the purpose, message, leading from human place, making the connection, communicating effectively.
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A very interesting observation Kristi!
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So true! And when both parties have dead cells, they can’t even connect! 🙂
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haha! True, dat!
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