Clearer – or Just Louder?

What’s your message as a leader?  What is it you are trying to say to your colleagues, your co-workers, your employees?  Is your message clear – or is it just louder?  Have you noticed that when the TV program breaks for a commercial, the volume gets LOUDER?  Does this get your attention in a good way – or do you, as I do, reach quickly for the “mute” button?  

One wonders how effective these commercials really are.  Maybe they do work for some – a recently deceased TV pitchman made a good living being loud and in-your-face -- but I, for one, turn these commercials off and tune them out as quickly as possible.  The same goes for sports announcers who seem to be paid by the word.   Too Much Information!  

During high school years, I worked for a time as a grocery bagger.  When we weren’t busy at the check-out counters, the store manager would ask us to do something else, such as re-stock shelves.  But his instructions were always garbled.  We used to call him “Mumbles” behind his back.  He would say, “Charlie, would you go over there and mmmph, mmmph, mmmph?”  Well, I did what I thought he said, only to have him ask me again, only louder, “Charlie, would you please mmmph, mmmph, mmmph?”  His message was LOUDER, but it sure wasn’t any clearer.  

Email marketing, even though much of it is silent, seems to follow the “louder-over-clearer” path by adding length to the pitch.  The marketing messages go on and on and on ...  It isn’t enough to present your message clearly, you have to have a dozen testimonials, at least one or two “but-wait-there’s-more” type of pitches, LARGER TYPE HEADLINES (the print version of LOUDER), and a “Special Offer” box or two.  What’s the message?  I don’t know – I got lost in all the verbiage.  

More isn’t better.  How clear is your message?  Do people want to hear or read more from you, or do you notice their eyes glazing over?  An old piece of advice is still worth considering:  People tend to avoid what they’re hit with.  Avoid all the hype.  Communicate your leadership message clearly and briefly.  

Coaching Moments:

1.      What is the most important point you want to make in your communication?

2.      When have you noticed an especially clear, concise message from someone?

3.      What did you learn from that example that you could use now?