Did you get that?
"When a message is sent up from the lowest levels to senior management, the noise level doubles and the meaning of the message is cut in half as it passes through each level in the organization's corporate hierarchy"-Peter Drucker
Communication is difficult. The message needs to be created in the senders mind, then translated into words that we feel the other person will understand.
On the receiving end the person takes what they heard, recreates the message, and then translates it into words that they understood. Lastly, feedback is send back to the sender of what was understood.
Team communication stays at the same level so hopefully not much gets missed. But as the quote suggests a lot gets lost as the message moves up to the next level. So my boss only gets half of my message. My boss' boss gets half of that or one fourth of what I sent. Quickly the meaning changes and the intent can be used against the originator.
So what is the answer? Stop sending information up? No. Have the means for the boss and their boss to have access to the same information so that they can review it for themselves. Of course that takes time but if the decision is critical then the extra effort is worth it.
Today's question is:
"How do you know that your message got through to your leaders?"
"When a message is sent up from the lowest levels to senior management, the noise level doubles and the meaning of the message is cut in half as it passes through each level in the organization's corporate hierarchy"-Peter Drucker
Communication is difficult. The message needs to be created in the senders mind, then translated into words that we feel the other person will understand.
On the receiving end the person takes what they heard, recreates the message, and then translates it into words that they understood. Lastly, feedback is send back to the sender of what was understood.
Team communication stays at the same level so hopefully not much gets missed. But as the quote suggests a lot gets lost as the message moves up to the next level. So my boss only gets half of my message. My boss' boss gets half of that or one fourth of what I sent. Quickly the meaning changes and the intent can be used against the originator.
So what is the answer? Stop sending information up? No. Have the means for the boss and their boss to have access to the same information so that they can review it for themselves. Of course that takes time but if the decision is critical then the extra effort is worth it.
Today's question is:
"How do you know that your message got through to your leaders?"
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