In working with organizations I find that one of the most common challenges is getting messages across. Many times leaders think they communicated something clearly, but when I talk to the people in the organization, they don’t recall hearing the message. Or they complain the leaders don’t communicate.
There are 5 questions that can help you in communicating virtually any message.
1. Start with the WHAT. What is happening? Don’t assume people know. Give the big picture. Give the basic information of what is going on.
2. Follow this with the WHY. Explain the rationale of why something needs to be done, or needs to change.
3. Next is the HOW. How will this impact each team, the organization, and every employee? How is it going to be done?
4. Then comes WHEN. When will this take place? How soon do people need to be ready?
5. And finally, the WHO. Who is responsible for what? Who can you go to when you have questions?
At the end, make sure to check for understanding by asking questions and soliciting feedback. Only then can you reach shared understanding. Only then can you be sure you have communicated.
Remember. . .
Next time you have to communicate a message, remember to answer the questions: WHAT, WHY, HOW, WHEN, and WHO. If you do it clearly and succinctly, your message has much higher probabilities of being received and understood.
I would love to know what you think, so please share your thoughts with your fellow readers and myself.
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