Here is an interesting statement. “True Communication is the Response You Get”. Warning! This thought will call you to dizzying heights of accountability! Effective leaders take full responsibility for results, and they achieve those results through others.
Why is your current delegation failing to get the result? That is the question on the table. If you accept the opening statement, that true communication is the response you get, you will begin to understand that your failure to achieve results through others is your failed communication.
You may protest. “I sent out a detailed e-mail with precise instructions, and each person read it and signed it. I did my part and provided full and complete information. How did I fail at my communication?”
The response you got from your team did not achieve the desired result. That result is the true reflection of your communication.
You protest again. “80% of the team understood the instructions and did their job. My communication was fine. It was the 20% that failed to listen or execute that failed, not my communication!”
Your communication was 80% effective. You failed to effectively communicate with 20% of those team members. My fellow leader, I invite you to step up taking full responsibility for your communication. Admit that your current communication failed to get the result. Your failure to effectively communicate with certain team members is the problem.
So how must your communication change to be effective? It is essential that your communication inspires and creates commitment from each team member. Each person must clearly understand their role and responsibilities, and then agree and commit to executing 100%. You must rid yourself and your team of all expectations. Expectations are the problem. Agreement is the answer. This requires that you first really listen and understand each team member. Then you must conduct a cycle of listening, questioning, and clarifying until you move from expectation to agreement. After you reach a clear agreement with each team member, then and only then can you create commitment, accountability, and the desired result.
You will achieve the desired result if you take responsibility for your communication. Slow down, listen, and then lead each team member to full understanding and agreement. Your team will succeed, and that success will be the response from your true communication.
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