Communicate with Purpose and Meaning

Communicate with Purpose and Meaning

As we move forward in the leadership lessons of Captain Michael Abrashoff of the USS Benfold, we leap into the discussion of communicating at a higher level.  When we communicate with both purpose and meaning, we have the opportunity to transform our business and create the culture of an elite school, a lively church, a winning team, or best of all, a sustainable, profitable business.

Captain Abrashoff believes the secret of leading a ship, managing a company or developing a team is the responsibility of the Captain.  You must articulate a common goal which inspires a diverse group of individuals to work together.  Here are the four steps to communicating with purpose and meaning:

Share Your Vision

• Create and map out the blueprint
• Communicate each person’s role and responsibilities, including expectations
• Keep everyone well informed at all times
  • Celebrate publically and criticize confidentially
  • Share all facts (status) including the good, the bad and the ugly
  • Change frightens people and fear thrives in silence

Avoid Clogged Channels

• Know the flow of your business
• Seek models and systems which will provide measurable results
• Embrace accountability to stay in the flow of healthy communication
• While you don’t want to work “out of vision” and off the blueprint, you must be willing to make modifications and even pivot if necessary as needed

Encourage Freedom of Speech

• Be open to hear other’s ideas, suggestions and how their recommendations might create positive change
• Be open to criticism
  • When people know you are open to criticism, they open themselves up and dramatic improvements may occur
• Encourage happy warriors among your tribe by allowing them to speak up!
• We are not suggesting you give your power away, only that you listen aggressively and consider the potential outcome of new and progressive thoughts and ideas

Create Your Brand and Defend It

• Every action you take, every decision you make, every system you implement, every process, procedure, benefit, tool and resource you provide, becomes your Brand.
• Honor the work you do by holding fast to your vision, your goals and your big why as it becomes your Brand.
• Know every decision you make impacts your reputation, which is your Brand
• Be steadfast and intentional in a way that consistently builds your legacy as it is your Brand

Communication is such a vast, interesting topic.  Just think about how far we’ve evolved since drawings on cave walls, right?  Progress?  Maybe.  In a world that is now so instant, yet impersonal…we need to model and practice clear, concise communication skills.

The old model of leadership was about control.  Many felt that by keeping others in the dark they held the control.  In fact, that element of secrecy may spawn isolation not success.  Knowledge is power, yet please consider that you do not have all the knowledge all the time. The new model of successful communication supports collaboration and transparency.

Go!  Lead and communicate with purpose and meaning.  Be a resource, not a sales pitch!