It sounded good when I read it, but...

A common theme that Kyle (and many others) have brought up as they go through the materials is, "this all sounds good and I agree with the concepts, but does this actually work in the real world?" For the most part I will say, "Yes, it does."

When I discuss things related to communication and leadership with my clients, they are often surprised that they have heard this information before. There are many books that discuss these topics, and for the most part, they say the same things. Yet we get hung up on the belief that these concepts may work in other situations, but not ours.

The basics of leadership and communication are relatively simple. It's about understanding and being understood. Though the concepts are simple, it doesn't mean they are easy. Best practices work best when they are practiced. Sometimes we get it in our heads that once is good enough or if it doesn't work the first time then it won't work... EVER. Neither statement is true. The art of leadership and communication requires constant practice. Saying something once means it's rarely remembered. However when you reinforce it multiple times the outcomes change. For example, many companies have a Vision statement. How many people know it? More importantly, how many understand how their job impacts its outcome?

Here's an exercise for the business leaders out there. Ask your people to tell you the company Vision statement. In most cases, less than one out of every ten can tell it to you. Why? Often because it was created absent of any involvement of the staff. In addition, after it was created it was assumed that people would learn it through osmosis. Just by walking into the corporate office, you will come to know it and live it. Nothing could be further from the truth. But if you have a Vision and if you find ways to incorporate that Vision into your daily discussions with your people, the ratio changes. Through the dialog you create an understanding of the idea and the impact each person's job has on it. Now eight out of every ten may know and understand it.

So the concepts are simple, but not easy. In order to be successful you must practice your communication every day and you must be willing to adjust and improvise as necessary. Leadership is as much art as it is science. That is why some are more successful at applying these traits than others. Everything from personality to ability to attitude impact the outcome. This is why these concepts usually work. When they don't it may be from the belief that they would not work in the first place. Make a difference, put in the effort on some simple concepts to get the maximum result.