Have you consider that is email the best communication tool in a Corporate environment?

Posted on 17 February, 2011 at 11:45 PM by with 2 Comments

Many arguments started from emails. There is no vocal, no facial and no visual, thus the recipient will receives different message signals.

You not pick up the phone and do a call; face-to-face meeting to resolve the problem or whatever issues that may arises. Is it because of status that a phone call cannot be made?

Many a times, people are using emails as a form of document proof to nail one’s down for commitment. With my limited knowledge, in legal, it is harder to file for a law suit if there is insufficient or proper documentation to support your argument. Thus many people will use email to transmit message.

Communication in email or texting may not be as clear as providing an example.

Sender may be able to write a very lay-man simple message. However, there are still some recipients may not be able to understand the way you want the message to be transmitted or relay. Not to mention about the language proficiency. It is good to improve or enhance the message by giving examples (pictures, previews, FAQ, anecdotes, scenarios etc). By showing a typical example will also set the ground rules that this is what the sender is expecting the recipient to react, responds.

Communication is the exchange of ideas, thoughts and feelings between two or more entities. If sender is aggressively transmitting a particular message, wonder has the sender ensure that the recipient really receives the message?

In all communications, never assume that your recipient will understand all the things that you say. 80% of message will kept in the brain after receiving it. After a few days, the message would have already reduced to less than 50% if not practiced what been received. Thus, do have a feedback from the recipient.

Firstly to check has the message been transmit to the other party. You may want to seek the recipient to explain one more time so that he understands and receives the correct message. Ask the recipient to provide a sample response or feedback.

Lessons Learned: Never think that your message is clear. How clear is your message clarity? Only recipient will knows.

Please share your comments and feedback.

Articles, Business Communication

Which would you choose – Lead by Example or Lead by Influence

Posted on 8 February, 2011 at 6:00 AM by with Leave a Comment

If you are experienced in certain skills or certain expertise, it’s good to share your knowledge tactfully and not using your knowledge to tarnish others.

It is easy to tarnish and hurt others feelings but its even more time consuming and take up more effort to heal the feelings.

It’s alright that you are in the leadership role if you are experienced. And it should be that you are rewarded to be in the leader role. However, if you do not lift the rest of the team up, you are just not a good leader. You are merely a good manager – “One who manages well” but not leading well.

Some people lead by example, while some people lead by influence.

For those who led by influence, they will influence others to follow him because of good relationship. Of course nowadays, network is one of the thing. However, the true self reveals when the person is not able to deliver.

On the other hand, if you lead by example, everyone can see and be able to feel that you are deserved to be respected for your true quality and caliber.

It is easy to lead by influence, just say some good sweet words and stir other feelings. However, leading by example is not easy. The true leadership character will shine and prove to the team that he is one that can be followed and work for. Every other team members will be motivated to respect and follow his instructions. As a true leader, you have to lead the team in the forefront so that the team members will follow your steps. The team members will eventually know that you are able to protect them and not worsen the situation.

Lesson Learn: Which would you choose – Lead by Example or Lead by Influence.

Some members like to listen to good words and be easily followed a leader with great influence. However, when turbulent comes, this leader may not able to help.

On the other hand, a person that leads by example will surely wins many people to his side. His actions speak louder than words. And many people will respect this kind of people.

In the practical world, how many can you detect that there is a leader beside them that leads by influence or a true leader that leads by example. Not many can detect easily.

As for me, I would choose to follow those who lead by example. However, I am also quite disturbed if the one that I followed over-doing it. Lead by example by trying to act smart and worsen the situation. That is not a good thing. Will elaborate more in my next post.

Hope you are able to detect those people around you soon. Please leave a comment if there is such an occasion happening to you.

http://www.dennis-kwan.com

Articles, Leadership

Project Manager Ethics and Personal Development

Posted on 21 January, 2011 at 11:45 PM by with 3 Comments

In the process of managing a project, there will be times that the project team members may not be able to deliver what they are supposed to deliver. Team members could be internal team, vendors, and relevant stakeholders.

As a project manager, you need to be tactful and not get emotional over the matter. You need to look at things from the different perspective. Of course, this member is accountable for the project delivery delayed schedule. However, you should instead understand the situation and know why is there a delivery delay? Is there any dependable event that causes the team member not able to execute the activity? Find out the reason before coming to a conclusion.

Be sensible when communicating with project member who is not able to execute the activity on time. I suppose this team member is already feeling bad for not able to deliver the task or activity. Do remember that human beings do have feelings. If a Project Manager will to blame the team member, there will be some percussion. For some people, they will turn the remarks to energy and come out a better result the next time round. On the other hand, some member will keep these remarks in their heart and bear grudges against the Project Manager, thus causing unnecessary conflicts.

Instead follow a simple saying. “Reprimand in private, Recommend in public”.

This way, the team member will feel energized to perform better so as to get recognition from the project manager in future when he indeed outperform. Obviously, the project manager should know when to compliment (give carrot) and when to criticize (issue a cane).

There are also come special case, that the team member is trying to delay the project. As a Project Manager, you should try and see whats the rationale behind all this? Is it because of the true situation that not able to move forward or there is some hidden obstacles that not able to clear.

Project Manager has to come in and resolve the situation. Thus ethics do come in and not many Project Manager can really handle such things, including myself.

Articles, Business Communication
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