“Canadian Communications theorist Marshall McLuhan’s well-known phrase– the medium is the message– is a good thing for strategist to remember when exercising strategic leadership to execute strategies. It is not the message we communicate but rather the medium itself– how we embed the message-how we convey it – how it’s perceived and received—that is the key to successful communication”.
Let me share this short story with you to validate this observation and to lock-in importance of the proceeding 49 words!
Many years ago when my eldest daughter was very young, we went sailing in a small sail boat. We were pirates sailing to new worlds – until the weather turned bad. We made for home at the best possible speed amid whitecaps, spray, sudden gusts of wind with grey growing darkening skies. My daughter kept asking, ‘Are we okay, Dad?’ I would laugh and reassure her as the boat heeling hard over with water splashing over the gunwales. With each assuring word, she would relax again and enjoy the ride.
As we neared the dock, she once again asked if we were all right. I replied, ‘No dear, we are in trouble.’
It was a poorly timed attempt at humour. She burst into tears. I held her, assured her all was well, and told her that I was just teasing her. The sobbing stopped and a smile returned.
The lesson — The situation had not changed, just the message.
Almost everything undertaken in your education and work activities will require you to communicate effectively. In essence, communication is the ability to transfer an understanding of meaning. You must think about the message. I think it is fair to say that good communication skills alone will not make you a successful manager but it is also fair to say that ineffective communication skills can lead to disaster.
Accordingly, invest in yourself by devoting energy to acquiring this vital strategic leadership skill set.
For those interested more on this thought by McLuhan read his first chapter of “Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man”, published in 1964. See Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man: McLuhan, Marshall, Lapham, Lewis H.: 9780262631594: Books – Amazon.ca
