How Mentoring Makes Me a Better Communicator
by Lois MelbourneFirst in a series
While mentoring a college student (I have several outlets for my mentoring passion), we discussed people’s different communication styles. Some people like to get text messages and others might be confused or offended by the straight forward “throwing” of information the way an Instant Message delivers it. I pulled out a tool, Communication Builder by Strategic Coach, that our company uses to help people understand how their team members like to give and get varying types of information. It dawned on me that we hadn’t discussed the results of this tool for quite awhile, and we all needed to bring out our communication worksheets to share departmentally again.
Aquire’s growth, new hires, new technologies, and new initiatives have introduced many more matrixed communications into the organization. We need to revisit the best ways to communicate and influence each other. I’ll use myself and how I utilize communication as an example.
People need to know that I want the “top of the pyramid” information when they present an idea to me. Give me the detail if I ask for it, and be prepared for me to ask, but don’t dump the detail on me first. I may likely trust your knowledge of the detail and your findings with no need for me to know the details myself. This is important for my team to know if they want to hold my attention and get a decision from me. I know others on the team who want the detail up front to formulate their own opinions or to feel comfortable with the data. They want their information delivered in writing so they can analyze it on their own time.
If I’ll likely need the information again in the future – then it’s a good idea to give it to me via e-mail. Then I can search for and find the data when I need it. And, I want my information before I actually need it. I like to be prepared. I also like to know the source of the information, so that I can learn more later, if needed. By opening up the discussion with my team about how I like information delivered, it makes us more effective communicators.
I also have to be reminded about all the people who hate my style of “drive-by” communication. (You know my type – we pop in your office with a great idea we really want to discuss now, or with a question that is better suited for e-mail). I become more conscious of this when I know who it bugs. I’m in “drive-by rehab” all the time. Some people like e-mail, some people like in-person, some people like voicemail. Do you know what method your co-workers like best? Don’t count on it being the same way they send information. Ask them.
My mentoring discussion refreshed the results of this great tool, and I brought that reminder back to this week’s management discussion at Aquire. It illustrated to my mentee that communication styles are not just generational, they are personality based. By sharing a best practice with someone else I sharpened a skill and tool in my every day use. This time it made me a better communicator. Thanks, Julia.
Cheers,
Lois
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