CEO’s and leaders around the world understand the power of the spoken and written word. Most have invested big bucks in learning how to deliver messages that are “sticky.” They’ve invested countless hours in mastering the art of positively spinning tough messages to the troops. And, yet, most messages it turns out, fall upon deaf ears.
FACT. Humans do NOT hear bad news accurately. Especially bad news about their behavior. Remember, we are wired for “loss aversion” more than anything else and nothing feels like a loss more than letting in some bad news about our behavior. Leaders are surrounded by “Yes men” for a reason…
Want to send more messages that find their mark?
Invest more time in understanding the emotional relationship between you and your audience. Anxiety is like static. Most leaders understand how to regulate their own which is a good start. Nothing makes a bigger mess than a message that comes out garbled with anxiety. However, few leaders are adroit when it comes to sensing the level of anxiety of their audience. For instance, in todays paper there was a single paragraph article about JP Morgan/Chase eliminating 19,000 jobs worldwide. No mention of loss of work, here. However, come monday, every coffee pot in Columbus where the ceramic mugs have a JP on ’em will be filled more with chatter than caffeine. Everybody will be talking. Anxiety will increase. Leaders words will not so much be heard as they will be interpreted. The audience will fill in the blanks and hear words that haven’t been said.
Anxiety is like static. And, most relationships have more static than clear content clogging up their airwaves. BTL builders understand this FACT. BTL builders tune in the static all around them all while remaining calm and present. They speak clear, concise, and direct. And, they welcome the tough questions that lead to further clarity even when they’re uncomfortable. REAL. HARD. WORK.
You, if you’re leading anything, most likely do not need another seminar on spinning shit without saying anything. Being heard, it turns out, is more about eliminating static than spinning anything.
Anxiety is like static. Turning up the volume only turns up the static. Tune in, my friend. Once you get to the root of you and your audience’s anxiety you’ll use your very capable cortex to slowly and systematically clear it out. Who knew your audiences ability to hear was more about anxiety than ear wax.
God, help me remain calm and stay connected with my audience here and there. God, help me…
BUILT TO LEAD 