Got Acknowledgement?
"Misunderstanding is the breeding ground of discord, and discord is the precursor to disaster." QuotableLines.com
Effective communication remains one of the greatest challenges in leadership. George Bernard Shaw states, "the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." Leaders and their subordinates are not mind-readers. Many leaders do not communicate as effectively as they should. I remember as an Army officer, "work on communicating," was an oft-used critique in evaluation reports. Few could challenge it. To the day I work on communicating. There are times I nail it and times I miss it. However I communicate - by email, text, verbally, or nonverbally, to name a few, I yearn for acknowledgement. It comes from my military training. It was vitally important that my orders were understood and carried out. Lives were at stake and our military training drilled us on sending and receiving orders - on gaining acknowledgement in the toughest environments.
I don't always ask for acknowledgement. I prefer to place trust in my people that they understand my intent. Moreover, I create safe environments where my people are free to challenge my directives, and or seek clarity. That, I believe, is the key to achieving acknowledgement. With that foundation in place, I'll use various techniques to gain acknowledgement.
One way is to ask a person to play back to me what I've asked them to do or to walk me through how they might accomplish a task to see if there is acknowledgement and understanding. Another - common with email communication, is to ask one to confirm receipt and understanding. Another is to simply ask someone if they are clear on what I've asked or if they have any questions. I've used, "you cool with that?," as a casual way to seek acknowledgement and even feedback. Lastly, I can state or write, "acknowledge," but I feel that it comes off as curt, even rude and belittling as if I'm speaking to a child.
A thumbs-up emoji, a nod, or a, "got it," is indeed, acknowledgement but not necessarily understanding. Leaders should take additional steps - formal even, to ensure understanding. Back briefs - a tenant of Army Mission Command is an effective way to ensure both acknowledgement and understanding. In back briefs, subordinates walk through how they are going to accomplish what they have been directed to do. Think about what you direct each time you do it. Seek acknowledgement. Disaster awaits if you do not.
Got acknowledgement? Are you sure?
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell