So What Time Do You Need to Leave?

Communication is a skill and as a result it can be learned but more importantly, it can be practiced!

At Powering Your Potential we help clients really focus on how you communicate and understand if they are really landing your message.

Paying extra attention to your communication can really make a difference to how effectively you, your colleagues and business perform.

At Powering Your Potential, too often we see the negative impact of poor communication. A recent example being when working with a client where, despite the repeated denials from the CEO, I was convinced that they had a communication issue.

There was clearly some form of breakdown, as too many things were just being overlooked. The business only had a small team which made the need for clear communication important and you could tell that things were being missed or elements of detail misunderstood.

I was sat in their office one day when the CEO and the Marketing Manager (MM) started a conversation that went like this.

CEO: What time do you have to leave?

MM: I just have a few emails to do and then I have to get away because I have to do the animals.

MM: What time do you need to leave?

CEO: I have to do a few emails too, and then I have to get to the post office before it closes.

I sat there quietly for a couple of minutes before I exclaimed, I told you, you had a communication issue! You don’t communicate clearly, concisely, focus on the detail and don’t answer questions.

One of you has asked a question, the other responded and you both feel you have answered. You have then done exactly the same thing in reverse and the simple fact is nobody has any clue what time anybody needs to leave?

You have a communication issue!

The power of clear and concise communication, checking that your question or response has landed and is understood is paramount to efficient business operations. Don’t take it for granted that someone has heard what you’ve said and fully understands it and don’t take some kind of response as an answer when you want all the details.

If you ask a question, be sure to get an answer to the question, not just an answer. If you are answering, answer the question first and then provide the supplementary detail.

When it comes to communication, small changes make a big difference and can really power your potential!

We welcome your communication if you require some assistance.