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The Culture+ Blog

Insights to help you create a compelling and connected culture

Context leads to perspective

Sometimes I think we confuse what it means to communicate better. The subject is broad, so let me focus on only one aspect. Communicating better doesn’t necessarily mean communicating more often. It might mean that, but not always. If we have a message that we are trying to embed into someone else such that it moves them to some kind of action, then it is in our interest to find out how to do that in the best way. The not-best-way may mean the message gets lost, doesn’t land right, or is unclear. Then we have to try it again. So, how do we do it in the best way? Well, it’s always going to vary depending on who you are talking to, but one idea is to package the content with context. Meaning, instead of putting out the “what” and leaving it at that, we include the “why.” Why this new policy needed. Why we are now doing it this way instead of the old way. Why this stuff matters in the first place. Context puts the content into perspective. And, that perspective leads to understanding.

by Jonathan

Jonathan Wilson is the CEO of Sandcastle, a leadership training and development consultancy. He frequently speaks and writes about building high performance teams. Jonathan regularly presents his latest findings and insights to business and government leaders at local, state, and national association events (both in-person and virtual). His first book, Future Leader: Rebooting Leadership to Win the Millennial and Tech Future is available now.

Tagged: Communication

Published on: September 20, 2018

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