A mid-level project manager was disgusted, "Can you believe they didn't ask me a single question? I knew they wouldn't understand.” I have heard it so often that it inspired me to create the FINESSE fishbone diagram®. Improving our communication skills makes us better technical professionals and respected trusted advisors. However, you will know an ineffective communicator by what they say. These are ten things you might hear an ineffective communicator say about senior management.
Ten Things You Might Hear An Ineffective Communicator Say
10. I do not need their support.
9. I am just as good as they are. (I passed physics class in college.)
8. Anybody can do the soft stuff.
7. They are unethical.
6. They will not read it if I give it to them in advance.
5. What I do is important. Everyone should want to know about it.
4. We should be given the authority to make these decisions.
3. They do not care about wasting money.
2. It is too complicated for them to understand.
1. They are faking it until they make it. (They sure are dumb!)
Senior Management Should Ask for You!
Communicating technical information for big, complex decisions is not something you learn by trial and error – at least if you want to have much of a career. It takes knowing the difference between one-way and two-way communication. It requires understanding the three barriers to effective communication and how to get around them. Most importantly, it takes the structure and discipline to follow a proven, systems-based approach. Are you Communicating with FINESSE?
The elements of the FINESSE fishbone diagram® are Frame, Illustrate, Noise reduction, Empathy, Structure, Synergy, and Ethics. Communicating with FINESSE is a not-for-profit community of technical professionals dedicated to being highly effective communicators and facilitators. Learn more about our publications, webinars, and workshops. Join the community for free.
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