Timely Communication When it Hurts

 

It's easy to read articles about leadership and communication and nod along with all the good advice. It is comfortable and empowering in a inactive kind of way. It's very different to experience the lack of that particular point in the 7 or 10 or 15 ways to be an awesome leader and truly see the results of that apathetic absorption from before.

Today my bit of learning involves not passing on information that is expected (by me) to result in an unpleasant conversation. It has happened several times in the past few weeks and I am beginning to notice a pattern.

1. I learn something.

2. I ignore it or at least fail to tell the other affected party(ies).

3. I finally tell them and it is unpleasant plus they are upset because I waited. Or it is not unpleasant, but they are still upset because I waited.

Being that I like avoiding compounding problems, despite evidence to the contrary, I really need to stop doing this.

So yeah, don't be like me. When you find out the conference you signed up for costs more than twice what you expected don't wait until the week of the conference to tell your wife. It isn't really a good way to build affection.

When you need to communicate something difficult just do it. Especially if it is time sensitive. It won't make it worse.