The 5 Cs of Confident Communication: Clarity
I've been really encouraged to hear some of your feedback regarding this series, The 5 Cs of Confident Communication. I'm hearing that some of you have already started to apply the first three Cs to your overall leadership and that you're seeing some great results.
We're going to continue to work towards improving conversation today by talking about Clarity.
In short, clarity is a commitment to clear communication of expectations.
Think about the last conflict you had with someone. When you get to the root issue, was it truly someone attempting to wrong you or was it a misunderstanding of expectations that caused something not to go your way?
Let me paint a picture for you....
It's a lovely autumn day a couple of years ago. One of those where you go for a brisk walk in the morning and maybe gather around the fire pit later that evening. After our morning coffee, Christie (my wife) and I decided it would be a good day to rake the leaves in our yard. So we head off to Lowe's and get a new rake and some clear bags and head home.
After raking a section of the yard as fast as humanly possible, I asked Christie to help me bag some of the leaves. The problem was, she wasn't moving at my pace or in what I perceived to be the most efficient way possible. So, I said that to her and of course, that feedback did not go over well. We ended up sideways with each other and I found myself in the yard...alone.
What just happened here? What did I do? Didn't we have the same goal? Weren't we working towards getting these leaves raked up in record time so we could move on to enjoying this October day? Much to my surprise, the answer from my wife was "NO." That was not her intention at all. In fact, hers was quite the opposite. On a day where raking leaves was the task and I had deemed myself as conqueror over said leaves, my wife wanted to CONNECT! She wanted to spend time with me in God's great creation and have a conversation. And guess what? Had I known that, I would have enjoyed that as well. I just didn't know. We simply didn't clarify the goal.
Un-communicated expectations are a sure path to disappointment, frustration and resentment.
Where do you need to create or ask for clarity today?
Interested in making sure you continue to grow? We are too! Schedule time with Bob to start your journey today!