Communication Vehicles: Don't Drive a Cement Truck in an Off-Road Rally (Part 2 of 2)

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.

 

The method (or vehicle) you use to transfer your message can make or break its success. This is probably understood somewhere in the back of your mind, but the problem is likely that you typically hop in the communication vehicle that is most comfortable for you. 

The correct communication method should be planned and used based on the needs of the situation. In the previous article, we looked at general motivation and solving routine problems. Now let’s look at the subtleties in choosing communication delivery methods for some more dicey situations.

High-Risk Interactions
A high-risk interaction is one, for example, where crises are being managed or where potentially expensive organizational change must be managed. A lot will be at stake and how people perform during these times will determine success or failure.

Face-to-Face. Suppose that you must communicate an abrupt organizational change such as a new sponsor, loss of sponsor, or high-level reorganization with indeterminate effects on your project. You will have a message that is controversial, but you don’t want work to simply come to a halt, which is what can happen in changes like this. A face-to-face delivery where you can use your body language to exhibit an air of calm and control is preferable. Streaming your face over closed circuit or satellite to …

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