Say What?

Communication is the topic of today's post. One of the most important lessons I have learned in the last few years is communication. I have gotten feedback from numerous family members, colleagues, coworkers, superiors, friends, and confidants. The fact of the matter is as follows; I am a direct and straight forward communicator who gets right down to the heart of the matter with no concern for political correctness, family ties, company relationships, unforeseen dynamics, incompetent senior management, or personal agendas. If there is an issue, problem, or overall plan that needs to be addressed, I have no problem discovering the root cause, discussing the issue at hand, and coming to some form of resolve.

Recently a very close colleague of mine pointed out a couple of critical things that inevitably will allow one to achieve success in the communication of fact in order to bring to fruition the appropriate resolve to an otherwise difficult problem. The advice given by my colleague was as follows: When communicating it is imperative that you consider purpose, content, audience, and timing.

What does this actually mean? Let us begin by using the business model. Business is driven by profitability and the desire to make more money by spending less. In order to bring a moral, ethical, and legal element to a business, one must challenge the old guard with new ideas, better process controls, more appropriate work flows, and sound decision making that solidifies the manner in which the business is conducted. Upon discovery of poor managerial decisions, the cutting of corners, the abuse of labor, and the possible affect on public health due to lack of oversight, one can only surmise that profitability will always prevail regardless of any other aspect of business. Communication will either make you or break you. Period. This is not about whistle blowing, rather, it is about being honest and forthright, while dealing with egomaniacs interested in protecting their own self interests.

Well what in the hell are you really writing about? I am writing about top leadership being obtrusive and destroying people in their way. The folks at the top will undoubtably worry when someone challenges their integrity and threatens their very existence. They have insecurities about themselves because they know they are not good people, they are dishonest, and they fear being discovered. Once they fear discovery, they go into damage control because they cannot admit they are wrong. When confronted, they convinces their peers and their superiors that nothing is their fault, they are not culpable. Enter the scapegoat. These leaders always align people in their organization solely for the purpose of blame. The powerful abuse the powerless, take it from me, I have seen this in a number of organizations. A lying executive will abuse their power using their inappropriate communication skills to force people to believe their distorted view subsequently driving the organization to lose touch with the truth.

It is at this point that these leaders are more prone to making mistakes, such as legal mistakes in which they will convince peers and superiors that their way is acceptable to achieve success. There are many instances in mainstream media that demonstrate this scenario with powerful executives that are now in jail and their companies out of business. Hopefully when they lie, they cheat, they abuse, they coverup, they will get caught and brought to justice.

When the leaders realize that they only have to convince a few peers and superiors it makes it easier for them to believe that their plans will work. They do not care for the thousands of lives and fortunes, careers, and spirit of the people they effect. It is only when they fail to convince others that they realize they are alone, and will face the reality of their doing. In their final act of desperation, these people will stoop to lows unheard of in order to cover up their deceit. They no longer care and have nothing to lose.

Their lives begin to spiral out of control and they lose balance. It is a sad truth about our business world. The incompetent leaders usually come out on top in these bad situations, and this further builds their poor character, and poor leadership skills.

Unless you have the capacity to think logically about important matters, I would recommend that you learn the importance of quality communication while maintaining honesty, integrity, and a strategic approach in order to not fall victim to the very people who should listen to you. An effective communicator is a valuable contributor to the successful running of a quality organization with respect to the people that make the foundation of the business strong. A poor foundation cannot support a heavy house.

Trust no one at the top unless they have a proven and impeccable track record. In the end, they are eventually found out, and will inevitabley lose business, get bad press, lose great employees, and be shamefully driven out of the business world. Imagine owning a multimillion dollar company and you are fishing with your successful buddies while they razz you about your downfall. The egg on your face will remain forever as a reminder to your family, friends, colleagues, and former employees that you did not have the attributes to be a good person, to follow the rules, to listen to the truth.

Don't be this guy, there are enough of them in the world already! This blog entry was fun.