It's all about communication

This last week has been a digitally reduced week, I've had relatively hardly any interaction with the world from a digital perspective.

There's a rather wonderful reason for this and that's been the arrival of the little chap pictured above into our lives at home.

This digital rest has allowed me to focus on my family and those around me that I hold very close, they've had my almost undivided attention.

During this period I've had to alter my approach to communication almost entirely, it has mostly involved caring and close attention (as to be expected), lots of hugs and cuddles for our two year old daughter to ensure there's no feeling of exclusion, lots of help and assistance for my wife and then gentleness for our new son.

But at the end of the day, it is all still communication, just a different type.

Good communication keeps the mechanics of a family running as well as it keeps a project on schedule or a brand campaign high in the awareness spotlight.

Come next week, when I return to work from my paternity leave, I'll have to alter my approach to, and method of, communication (although I am sure some of our developers would appreciate a hug every so often), but the principles will remain the same.

Ensuring everyone feels like they know what's going, everyone feels like the have their roles to play and they're included in plans, and that what was expected to happen is still happening are essential components of all progress.

This isn't the first time I've spoken about the importance of communication in the work place, but again and again I experience issues that could have been avoided had their been a clear and honest approach to communication.

When managing projects or production schedules the communication needs to be combined with good definition to ensure that matters discussed can be clearly agreed by all and approved before the work begins.

Some will avoid communicating, feeling uncomfortable with either the process itself or because of a fear of communicating the wrong message or making themselves sound inexperienced or out of the loop.

Avoiding communication will not resolve any issues, it will only hinder progress.

Address issues early; 99.99% of the time I find getting a debate going about a developing concern in its early stages avoids lengthy and costly task alterations at later stages.

If you find yourself comfortable with the task of communication you'll often have to take on the role of a mediator in order to encourage others to share their thoughts with you and other individuals that are involved.

So whether you are at home or at work, or even at play, if you feel there is an issue developing speak up.

Choose your words carefully and consider what you are going to say before approaching what might be tricky or diplomatic situations, but do approach them.

Speak out before a concern develops into an issue and then creates a real problem.


Further reading:

The art of conversation - A brief synopsis - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/03/art-of-conversation-brief-synopsis.html

Client & staff engagement - The importance of soft skills - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/02/client-staff-engagement-importance-of.html

The real value of Social Media - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/01/real-value-of-social-media.html

What makes us social and is social media a good thing? - Digital Signals http://www.digital-constructions.com/blog/2009/09/what-makes-us-social-and-is-social.html

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