Honing Our Message, Staying On Point

The people we lead need consistency in our message that stays on point with our well defined goals and priorities. When ideas seem to change at random, or there is "shiny new" syndrome to bring in some new resource, idea, process, or person without a strong purpose for why, it shuts down innovation and engagement, and builds frustration and stagnation.

A good leader should also be constantly learning and seeking ways to improve their messaging and processes, so the key is seeking ways to hone the message without changing it. A previous leader of my organization was a voracious consumer of content, between conferences, books, articles, podcasts, and more. This is wonderful, and a wide knowledge base is critical for flexibility in problem solving. But this leader would change the direction of the organization based on every newly consumed idea. Confusion, whiplash, exhaustion, and mistrust ensued.

The key, when we learn or see something new and exciting, is to step back and see how this aligns with what we are already doing. The focus then can be on deepening our work and understanding, and refining our focus rather than widening the lens and stretching people to thin. Or, by simply changing the vocabulary people are used to it can seem like something new rather than a continuation.

Honing the message helps your people see the alignment, and how this can help them reach the goals that have been set for them or they have set for themselves. When we get excited as leaders, and see how some new resource can really help, if we just send it out or jump on it without making it fit into our current plan, those great ideas become a drag force on your people rather than the accelerator we were hoping for.

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