by Deborah Chambers Chima

In a moment of candor I must admit there have been times in the past when I have been guilty of using poor communication.  To be clear, these moments had nothing to do with using proper English. The situations I am referencing would occur when I felt  I was not receiving the level of respect I deserved.  As an African American female trying to survive the competitive world of Corporate America, it seemed like there was always someone who wanted to challenge my authority or knowledge. When these situations would occur, I must admit that I would automatically communicate out of emotion. I had to learn that often the best way to minimize the impact of detractors is to be silent and let your good work speak for you.

I believe we can become comfortable justifying why we sometimes behave and communicate in a manner that we know is not productive. One of my biggest lessons learned is that no matter how much individual satisfaction I would receive from saying exactly what was on my mind when I felt disrespected, I actually hurt myself in the long run in the area of building relationships at all levels within the organization.  After all, long term career success is built on the foundation of building strong relationships. I quickly learned that no one controlled my responses but me.

If you are struggling in the area of communicating within your organization during times of high volatility and challenges, I offer the following solutions:

• Identify strategic informal networks with people you can trust. The point is to stay in the loop on the hot issues to avoid falling into any communication land mines.  The challenging work environment we are currently experiencing is a time when having a trusted mentor is most valuable. Be open to the feedback you may receive regarding the effectiveness of your current communication style. Remember, feedback is a gift.
• Manage your emotions at all times so you don’t give anyone ammunition to use against you behind closed doors. It is always better to say nothing and walk away then to take a moment to put someone in their place. You always have a choice on how you react. Those who aspire to reach management leadership levels must first deliver the results that get you noticed. However, a high potential leadership candidate must also be perceived as a professional regardless of any situation you may encounter
• Learn how your senior leaders prefer to communicate and make sure that is how you communicate, even if it is initially uncomfortable. If he or she wants to do all the talking, then use your critical listening skills so you can flawlessly execute their direction and advice.  If the boss has a short attention span, do not overwhelm them with a lot of data. If you have an idea you want to pitch, ask probing questions to determine if the timing is right. If the boss is distracted or overwhelmed, first seek how you can be of help before trying to get him or her to buy into your bright idea. Once you have their attention, be succinct and be prepared to let the boss think it was actually their idea.

If you desire to reach your long-term career goals, you must consciously decide to demonstrate the skill of influence at a very high level of skill. Your management skills and consistent business results achieve the needed visibility that will get you noticed by senior management. Never forget; if you have aspirations to get to the executive or senior leadership level you must be invited in. You cannot push yourself into being accepted within their circle.

Leaders must always be aware of how certain environments and certain people can trigger negative reactions from you. When you find yourself in an adverse situation, your ability to maintain control will position you as a leader of choice. In today’s streamlined, flatter organizations your engaging communication style carries a lot of weight regarding your ability to influence key people and the environment.

Your verbal and non verbal communication leaves lasting memories. How do you want to be remembered?