2013 presented some interesting opportunities for learning some very valuable communication lessons.
Here are 5 key notes we took:
Know when to zip it
Rob Ford dropped our jaws in November and his comments were baffling, no doubt. He was left to his own devices (all of his communication people quit) and he apparently missed the memo on how to appropriately speak in public.
Lesson: Address your audience with respect and keep your ability to filter appropriate from the not so appropriate under all circumstances.
Cater to your audiences
Adding insult to injury, Edward Burkhardt (president of Rail World which owns the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic (MMA) railroad) addressed the people of Lac Megantic in English without bothering to bring in a translator or issue a formal written statement in French.
Lesson: Be very mindful, especially during a time of tragedy, to cater to the needs of your audience. Language preference and style of delivery shape the taste left on one’s palate.
Own your mistakes
JP Morgan took the steps of admitting a mistake as related to the London Whale scandal and agreed to pay over $1 Billion in fines to UK and American regulators to settle charges. James Dimon, CEO JP Morgan, publicly took accountability and immediately set up processes to manage relationships and reputations with stakeholders. The actions taken are a step towards minimizing future litigations and legal bills not to mention improving overall global confidence.
Lesson: Admit mistakes and own them. Ensure transparency and work with your stakeholders to regain confidence.
No publicity is the best publicity
Beyoncé literally came out of nowhere in December with the launch of her new visual album. Music critics and publications alike questioned “how she do it?”.
Well besides having those around her sign a series of non-disclosure documents, her rigour and persistence to give her audiences what they crave without skipping a beat stands out as memorable. There was no publicity, no warning. And the result? Over 430,000 albums were sold on the first day.
Lesson: In this case her silence stood out as a focused attitude, one professionals should evoke because when something is finally delivered, audiences will be left blown away not just by your final product or message but by your humbleness and raw emotion.
Consistency is everything
The messages and visions shared by Nelson Mandela were consistent throughout his life. Upon his passing, the world was reminded of how powerful and influential his voice was.
Lesson: Be consistent in your tone, manner and messaging and your audience will not only align but will be inspired to carry on and live your legacy.
The post A look back at 2013. appeared first on Elena P. Iacono.
