Communication is a Character Trait

Please spare a few minutes to read it. It’s in your interest. And the overall efficiency of the administration. 

As you are leaders and decision makers. 

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My dear team members/ colleagues,

In our public services along with being efficient at work, is the spirit of connectedness and being communicative in a relevant way.

We are always doing and learning. Also taking useful decisions which impact all of us within the departments. 

Some are for people too for whole we are here.

We/ You, attend useful meetings and conferences which have a bearing on several departments but we at times neither minute the decisions, (even the very useful ones) and if we do we delay their circulation due to which information and speed of implementation slows or loses its value. 

(Except for record keeping and may be recall or review for posterity) 

They even get outdated. 

As we move up in service the key to our success is quality and speed of our communications skills. 

As long as any matter is not secret but is important to share, share and communicate with your rank and file. 

It’s our duty to share at least briefly for the team to know. ( in many cases keeping back and withholding information is considered as exercise of (false) power or ‘chalta hai attitude’..)

Communications is a character trait. It’s part of our emotional quotient.

In public service communication is a part of our appraisals, please keep in mind. We mostly forget this. Rate your own selves. Then you shall know where you stand. 

Communication is not about marking or pushing papers only, but sharing key points in time on important issues which forge enhanced understanding amongst peers or close team members according to time needs. 

We all attend several important meetings which have a bearing on other decisions of the day. But little is shared. Even in times of crisis as this. 

Perhaps “Mission KarmaYogi” will make us aware. But by then valuable time will be lost too. 

Technology when well used and in right proportion, is a great tool. Please use it well. Voice, video, whatapp, email, sms etc. 

Groups have been formed exactly for this purpose. I feel we all can use these better compared to how much we do. 

I am a keen observer of all developments and also how each of you perform and communicate. 

More closely done during the crisis / Covid times, when one gets to know own-self and the others more. And when we are all challenged in a manner not before. 

Hence please take this as a mentoring note being written in my responsibility as your Lt. Governor. 

I trust you will record your minutes in time, share in groups more, and once in a while call up to brief and update. Use all tools of communication as per the needs of the situation. 

And connect with people more. 

They wait to hear some of you. 

Make yourself more visible, be read and be heard and also understood.

And to be more collaborative. 

Have a good day.

Yours Truly,

Dr. Kiran Bedi