Communication Conundrum:
To Tweet or Not to Tweet
By Cyndy Robinson
What kind of mess have we gotten ourselves into? With the ever-growing need to tele-communicate, instant-message and email, are we losing the art of conversation? Is the existence of nuance on the brink of extinction?
Leadership consists of many respectable characteristics, and organization is one of the more pertinent ones. We, as leaders, aspire to make a good example for those who someday wish to lead. Sometimes we spend more time on the appearance of having our stuff together rather than actually being that organized. Our electronic toys aid us in this feat, but there is a cost involved in their convenience.
Think about how often we sacrifice the human nature of communication for the sake of convenience. On top of that, we actually pay for the very service which subtracts warmth from our messages. Fifty, one-hundred, two-hundred dollars a month we spend. Are we crazy; or just suckers for the next techno-gadget to emerge from innovative minds and crafty marketing schemes? Consider just a few on the list on many: cellulars, berrys, pdas, iphones, pods and the like. I could go on.
Tweet away on your pda. Mom doesn't care. She'd rather hear your sweet voice on the end of the telephone line. If she's techno-savvy, use skype. She can see you in real time and be pleased to relay your career tales at the next bridge club get together.
In communication, nothing compares to a personal meeting. Here is where you can capture the subject in their environment. You see slight gestures and intuitively feel unspoken emotion. Face-to-face meetings are the best for developing leadership relationships that will last; although, in light of the current economic crunch, this is not always feasible. In this case, choose the best, most personal way to communicate your messages. Of course, if it's to Mom, the phone is best. If it's with your client in Boston, research what e-capabilities they have at their end, and accommodate the highest level of communication that you can manage. Your image will come off as a sweet one for the effort.
As for the human touch, a hand written note is the ultimate. It's not always necessary, but nothing says human touch more that a letter. Writing may take you a bit longer than your tweet, but it carries intangible meaning, and also allows the reader to respond! Some of us still remember penmanship classes, and how they were incorporated into the school system. Since the invention of portable electronics, the importance of this has waned, much like the art of calligraphy.
Just remember the next time you send an electronic message, that the human on the other end cannot hear your tone. Your message may not come off as intended. Take the time and care; and, at the risk of sounding like your Mom, call once and a while, would ya?
So cheers to all of you e-masters, and don't forget, while you are recharging your batteries, pick up the phone and recharge your communication style too.
For more information on developing great leadership communication skills, contact Gary Gzik at ggzik@bizxcel.com.
Cyndy Robinson is a Communications Consultant and facilitator for BizXcel. She is a Graphic Designer with extensive experience in e-learning development and media production.
