Leadership requires communications
by Miki SaxonPost from Leadership Turn Image credit: Arjen Klinkenberg
Ask any leadership expert, consult any leadership book or blog and one of the constants that you’ll find is that it’s crucial to craft a vision and, more importantly, to be able to communicate it clearly, so that there are no misunderstandings.
That’s the only way to have everyone on the same page, with no ambiguity regarding what you’re saying.
Your ability to express an idea in a truly memorable manner can improve loyalty, drive productivity, and solve long standing problems.
One way to make communications both clear and unforgettable is to enhance them by using some kind of visual.
One of the best known examples dates to the late eighties and may be an urban myth, but it could just as well be true—not that it matters.
It’s a perfect example of communicating a vision using a visual aid guaranteed to solve a problem, change stubborn behavior and get everyone on board.
Last year, according to a radio report, a middle school in Oregon was faced with a unique problem. A number of girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick, they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.
Warnings and posted notes didn’t help. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had clean the mirrors every night.
To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance guy to clean one of the mirrors. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it into the toilet and then cleaned the mirror.
Since then there have been no lip prints on the mirror.
The ability to get the point across can be found in leaders at all levels in any type organization.
Have you used visuals to clarify or enhance your communications?
Your comments—priceless
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March 29th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Our vision is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Because our vision is very people-centered, it can look a little different in each individual. There are some common characteristics, though.
The “visuals” we most often use are stories. We tell peoples’ stories as often as possible and in as many arenas as possible. It helps people visualize what we mean by our vision. And it helps us communicate that we’re winning at achieving our vision.
Another visual we use is baptism. You can go here to see a video of what I’m talking about: http://www.catalystchurchonline.com/baptism
Sorry to get all churchy, but the use of visuals in communicating vision even applies to us. It really applies to us!
March 29th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Casey, any situation where you need the people involved to understand completely visuals will hasten the process.