Just What Are Your Intentions?

Joe Wynne is a versatile Project Manager experienced in delivering medium-scope projects in large organizations that improve workforce performance and business processes. He has a proven track record of delivering effective, technology-savvy solutions in a variety of industries and a unique combination of strengths in both process management and workforce management.

 

Hidden behind every essential point in project communications are your intentions. Some intentions you should make explicit, some you might want to keep hidden. But you should be clear on all of them. Otherwise, your message will not achieve the desired results, being lost in unfocused--even extraneous--verbiage.

Before communicating your message, list all your intentions. Ask yourself questions like:

·       Why are you communicating this message?

·       Is it to "sell" a product or service?

·       Is it to make a recommendation powerfully?

·       Is it to provide a progress report (and also to show that you are a top-performing manager)?

·       Is it to get an individual to understand that their performance is below expectations (and also to show the worker that you are willing to assist them)?

·       What are implicit/hidden reasons for this communication?

If you find that there are several intentions, your message may get muddled in extraneous rambling without special preparation.

Bad:   "It's getting close to the deadline and we are running a little behind schedule. Certainly there…

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