Trust, Inc. by Nan S. Russell

Author:Nan S. Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Red Wheel Weiser
Published: 2013-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

Elevate Your Communication

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.

~ George Bernard Shaw

The cyclical, ubiquitous phrase back to basics ignites supporters. The reasonableness of returning to previously successful approaches, principles, or ethics is a tantalizing concept for solving individual or collective woes. But the “basics” that will get results for your Trust, Inc. are far from basic.

Leadership is not as simple as it once was. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, “Official company-issued communications are distrusted by workers at all levels. Only 29 percent of executives and 21 percent of workers trust corporate communications.”1 Many view communications as spin-spin-spin; others, noise-noise-noise. But, the sobering challenge for leaders goes deeper. Globally, “only 18 percent of the general population trust business leaders to tell the truth regardless of how complex or unpopular the truth is.”2

Communication that sparks trust and enables a culture of passion, engagement, and innovation requires believability. No longer does organizational spin calm rumors, nor one-way communication fuel results. No longer can bosses announce initiatives and expect quick staff alignment. And no longer are leaders able to ignore messages they don’t want to address, or voices they don’t want to hear—not if they want followers and credibility.

No matter what you think of discussion boards, bloggers, social media sites, text messaging, tweeting, or YouTubing, one thing is clear: Communication has changed. Technology provides instant access to alternative perspectives, influence, and thinking. The question isn’t whether to get back to communication basics, but What are the new basics?

Although effective communication can get you above the noise, elevated communication is an essential ingredient to building trust. Elevated communication lifts understanding, creates aligned purpose, increases engagement, and kindles innovation. It improves relationships, enables healthy and productive conflict, and uses differences to heighten results. Elevated communication is a new basic.

What does it look like to elevate communication? And how do you elevate yours? That’s what you’ll find in this chapter. Elevated communication includes everything from the art of asking the right questions to thoughtful transparency, but it’s grounded in four pillars: authenticity, compassion, integrity, and intention.

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