Hallmarks of Good #Communication Systems and Practices

Here is a list of criteria I use to evaluate communication systems and practices. While no system will demonstrate all of these elements, the more the better.

1. More PULL than PUSH. More than being inclusive, it engages people and is interesting.
2. Nimble and changeable with built in feedback loops.
3. No reduction of core content (intent, emotion, connective elements, calls to action). (Content degradation is common when information cascades from high to lower levels, for example.)
4. As simple as possible. Low hassle factor.
5. Works when imperfectly executed. Never build a system that only your top 10% of managers or employees will use properly. The best systems work even when people botch aspects of it.
6. Serves all/many stakeholders and users.
7. Sustainable. Can be maintained and continued.
8. Leaders change with the topic (is not a one way or lead by same person all the time).
9. It is clear – everyone knows their role and the overall flow of information.

Use this list to test out your current communication practices or when you come up with new ideas for improvement.

Comments

[Elijah Jatovsky]

I wish every Congressmen was given a copy of these points. I believe that one of the biggest problems facing government today is a lack of communication between those who disagree.

In an effort to provide the next generation of leaders with tools to be able to communicate better, I created a project called National Connect (www.nationalconnect.org) that fosters dialogue between high school students who come from highly different backgrounds, and provides them with opportunities to educate one another about their core beliefs and why they hold them.