The Partner Channel Magazine Winter 2016

LEADERSHIP
A NEW
APPROACH TO
Communication
story by AMBER BARNES
illustration by MATT MASTRUD
With all the practice we’ve had in communication over our lifespan, you’d think
that it would come to us easily once we entered the “real world” of work.
Most of us learned to speak as toddlers, we were taught to read and write
as we went through grade school, and some of us may have even taken
communications classes in college. Should be a piece of cake, right?
Unfortunately, my experience in business (and for that matter, in life) has
been a resounding and hearty “No.” But, why? If we’ve put so much of our time into practicing, why
is it that a majority of our communication doesn’t work the way we expect or need it to?
In business, if a process or strategy isn’t working, it’s a wise practice to reflect on what’s missing.
When it comes to communication, maybe it’s time to consider the fact that we’ve been practicing
all the wrong things.
(Warning: The practice prescriptions I’m about to share with you will definitely work in
your office and among your business partners. They will also work in your personal life and the
community at-large. Symptoms may include nodding heads, improved productivity, and “getting it
right the first time.”)
#1
PRACTICE
PITFALL
USING FUZZY LANGUAGE
Google the word “culture” and take a quick look at the number of
results that come back. Each result has a different take and a different
perspective about what the word means. Same rings true for most words,
processes, and ideas. What we practice, however, is normally not a
story reflection by LINDA of this truth H. but YATES the exact | illustration opposite. Instead, by we use:
SHAWN » His definition OLSON of “professionalism” is the same as mine.
» Her understanding of what a sales process looks like mirrors mine
exactly.
» My channel Partner should know what “customer service” means.
Does this sound about right? The problem is, when we use fuzzy language or vague words and assume
others have the same definition of something that’s important to our work, we are immediately setting the
stage for miscommunication and a lack of clarity.
34 WINTER 2016 | THEPARTNERCHANNEL.COM