I work with a lot of leaders and organisations that often hesitate before communicating. They are worried about the risks. Publicly voicing a point of view will inevitable attract some opposing points of view. And this goes for inside and outside an organisation.
We’ve all become pretty risk averse when it comes to communication these days. Many people with an outspoken point of view, exhibiting too much emotion or passion, can often be shot down. Like wise, there is often a desire to keep communication on a safe and even keel. It’s no wonder we frequently here people say: ” No, no, don’t go there!” Or ” No, no, too much information!” We are averse to getting into any potentially dangerous communication where emotions might ignite.
The thing is, there is always something being communicated. There is no such thing as a communication vacuum. Our beautiful little brains are always making up some story or other about what is going on around us.
So I urge anyone in leadership, anyone who is part of an organisation or a community, to step up and say what needs to be said. Work to make sure people know what is going on. Work to tell the truth, and not shy from what might be uncomfortable.
Every story we have ever heard and remembered and valued, had powerful juxtapositions that make up a journey, failure and success, happiness and sadness, light and dark.
So great communication will ‘go there’ and engage people in stories that canvas the ups and downs of life, the ups and downs of business, of leadership, of community.