The document discusses the importance of effective communication in organizations and the problems that can result from ineffective communication. It notes that while organizations want communication, few want to do it. When people do not understand each other, it can lead to mistakes, frustration, rumors, fear and uncertainty, low productivity and costly rework. The document then provides examples of poor communication and discusses barriers to good communication like speed of processing information and the critical moments when communication needs are highest. It emphasizes that leaders need to develop effective ways of keeping people informed about what is happening, future plans, roles and responsibilities, progress made and victories achieved.

1. Improving your
leadership
communication
“A CLASSIC IS SOMETHING EVERYONE WANTS TO HAVE READ, BUT NO ONE WANTS TO READ.”
~ MARK TWAIN
BOHN’S COROLLARY: COMMUNICATION IS SOMETHING EVERY ORGANIZATION WANTS, BUT FEW
WANT TO DO.
~ DR. JIM BOHN

2. How effective is
your leadership
communication
right now?

3. Why do Leaders perceive
communication is happening?
Your opportunity to fill in the blank …

4. When people do not understand
each other, what happens?
People make mistakes, and
mistakes can be costly to a
business.

5. When people do not understand
each other, what happens?
People also become
frustrated with one
another, and thus
Point fingers
Lay blame
Argue

6. When people do not understand
each other, what happens?
Ineffective communication causes
rumors and gossip.
Ineffective communications ultimately
lead to fear through uncertainty.
Ineffective communication stifles energy
and leads to low productivity - more time
spent on people struggles than output.
Costly rework!

7. When people do not understand
each other, what happens?
Ineffective communication causes
rumors and gossip.
Ineffective communications ultimately
lead to fear through uncertainty.
Ineffective communication stifles energy
and leads to low productivity - more time
spent on people struggles than output.
Costly rework!

8. When people do not understand
each other, what happens?
Ineffective communication causes
rumors and gossip.
Ineffective communications ultimately
lead to fear through uncertainty.
Ineffective communication stifles energy
and leads to low productivity - more time
spent on people struggles than output.
Costly rework!

9. When people do not understand
each other, what happens?
Ineffective communication causes
rumors and gossip.
Ineffective communications ultimately
lead to fear through uncertainty.
Ineffective communication stifles energy
and leads to low productivity - more time
spent on people struggles than output.
Costly rework!

10. When people do not understand
each other, what happens?
Ineffective communication causes
rumors and gossip.
Ineffective communications ultimately
lead to fear through uncertainty.
Ineffective communication stifles energy
and leads to low productivity - more time
spent on people struggles than output.
Costly rework!

11. Examples of poor communication:
Misunderstood goals – “Where are we
going?
Misunderstood definitions – “What is
„Deployment‟”?
Misunderstood instructions – “How are
we going to do that?”

12. Communication Methods
Method Risks Benefits
Email
Face-to-face
Conference Calls
Posters
Speeches

13. Dangerous assumption …
Executives are especially
vulnerable to the belief that their
words and concepts will be
carried out, largely because of
positional power in their
organizations.

14. People
expect their
orders will
be obeyed
DICTATOR
People assume
communication has
occurred
DELEGATOR
A forgetfulness that executives have
been discussing something for a long
time, yet expect others to adapt
immediately, as if they had been part
of the conversation.
BLIND SPOT
Continuum of communication risk …
EXTREMES

15. Barriers to good communication
and why?
 Speed of
processing
 Sound bytes
 Lack of patience
 Clarity of sender
 Checking for
reception
CHARACTERISTICS
OF THE
COMMUNICATOR

16. Barriers to good communication
and why?
Timing of
communication
Physical space of
communication
LOGISITICS OF
COMMUNICATION

17. Barriers to good communication
and why?
Highest needs for
communication
often occur at
the lowest point
in the project.
THE
CRITICAL
MOMENT

18. Dropping the ball in communication
People get reassigned – without
a successor!
People get
bored, tired, disinterested –
especially on conference calls.
You can always slow me
down, but it's tough to speed me
up.

19. What‟s goin‟ on?
"Need to know basis" is so
passé.

20. What‟s goin‟ on?
All communications provides a
context for decision making, allow
people to sort things out among
competing priorities.
“What do I need to do to support the
organization?”

21. What‟s goin‟ on?
All communication provides a context for
prioritization.
“What do I need to do to support the
organization?”
Danger if this isn’t done.
Reasons it isn't done.
As a leader, you need to develop effective
ways for getting it done.

22. What‟s goin‟ on?
People will fill
__ the blanks.

23. SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION
ACTIONS
Coordination of activities - getting
people together takes
effort, clear focus, and clear
agendas.
1

24. SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION
ACTIONS
Knowledge of the future –
“People expect leaders in this
business to know where
they‟re going.”
2

25. SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION
ACTIONS
Knowledge of roles
(who‟s on first?)
3

26. SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION
ACTIONS
Knowledge of what has
happened? So people can feel
a sense of efficacy, movement
and momentum.
4

27. SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION
ACTIONS
Knowledge of victories - To allow
the emotional sense of
achievement and build efficacy
for the next project.
5

28. SPECIFIC COMMUNICATION
ACTIONS
 Coordination of activities - getting people together takes
effort, clear focus, clear agendas.
 Knowledge of the future – “People here expect leaders in
this business to know where they‟re going.”
 Knowledge of roles (who‟s on first?)
 Knowledge of what has happened? So people can feel a
sense of efficacy, movement and momentum.
 Knowledge of victories - To allow the emotional sense of
achievement and build efficacy for the next project.

29. How effective is
your leadership
communication
right now?

30. Pro/Axios
 We offer plainspoken guidance for
those who do the work.
 Check out the Rapid Diagnostic @ www.ProAxios.com
 info@proaxios.com
 651-302-1574
 Minneapolis, MN, USA
9/17/2013
Organizational Insight Leading to
Organizational Transformation