In a recent interview, Mr. Trevor Noah, the host of The Daily Show, asked the following question: “What is the right way to get a message across?”
Mr. Noah, this is a great question for all leaders to seriously ponder – and answer – because some of the same dialogue and responses fit very well with successful principles of life and leadership.
Unrest in the Byways and Highways (and on the Field)
For those who don’t know the context of your question, Mr. Noah, let’s clue them in: it was about the recent and prolific public protests across America, which have included a wide variety of actions, such as:
- One well-known NFL player choosing to repeatedly express his dissident views by disrespectfully kneeling before the American flag while the national anthem is performed. More often than not, these types of individual protesters disregard any moral or cultural norms of decency, respect, thankfulness, or honor in favor of their viewpoint being heard. Sometimes, more than one time, the actions of this type of disrespectful individual persists unto the financial, ethical, and reputational demise of many others.
- Groups of people marching in the streets while expressing their dissident views and disagreements by rioting and rebelling against order and authority. More often than not, these groups of people commit criminal acts of looting, burning, and destroying the property of innocent people. Sometimes, more than one time, they have murdered innocent people during their protesting behavior.
- Special interests groups demanding their rights to live a certain personal lifestyle or to have access to specific services that remedy the consequences of their choices. More often than not, these groups of people are demanding that everyone else pay for their special-interest benefits and cheerfully agree with (respect) their viewpoints. Sometimes, more than one time, the people from these special interests groups refuse to afford others, who have differing views, the same cheerful agreement (respect) about opposing views.
This list could go on and on and on because self-centered focuses and agendas are rising to an all-time high in our world. More often than not, the majority of individual people want their way (according to their will and beliefs) in matters that interest, justify, or benefit the Almighty Self. Sometimes, more than one time, adult temper tantrums and meltdowns abound when individuals or groups of individuals cannot have their way – and in their own timing.
In essence, these examples provide the context for Mr. Noah’s question, “What is the right way to get a message across?”
Right Way Basic and Age-Old Principles
Mr. Noah, in response to your question, here are a few basic and age-old principles of effective communications and change management that point toward “the right way”:
1. With Respectful Actions: this is simply about reverence, admiration, and appreciation for the very right to speak out and speak up. There is a common sense, respectful way to acknowledge the blessings and privileges one DOES have, while effectively communicating about the issues that fall short of what one wants. This includes respecting the value of life and property, especially those that are not one’s own! Mr. Noah, applying this simple (non-violent) truth to protest strategies is always a respectful plan – and the right way.
2. With Persistent Efforts: this is simply about continually communicating one’s position and viewpoint to the right people, in the right places, and at the right times. Utilizing the basic principles of effective communications, like seeking to understand before demanding to be understood, creates a win-win scenario. Also, most adults (including the precious protesters, who have a right) do not respond well to being forced to change, especially being forced with violence. Mr. Noah, applying this simple (non-violent) truth to protest strategies is always a wise plan – and the right way.
Very educational article with suggestions worthy of endorsement.
All communicate, but not all can connect, that is to establish a link with people and to pass their message properly.
To be an effective communicator I think we need to learn how to simplify our message, trying to adapt it to the person we are communicating with, also transmitting a gestural and behavioral credibility.
Will we succeed in doing so in a world dominated by technology that is replacing the human being?
Thank you for these great thoughts, Aldo. Your comments always add value to the expressed ideas in an article. I appreciate that about your interactions online. In response to your question: I believe the overall communication skills of leaders will need to be very well-honed and intentional in the future in order to overcome (or even compete with) the impact of technologically-driven communications (as the primary source of communicating). It’s a digital communication world that has lost much of the heart and soul necessary for impactful, effective communications. 🙂
Thank you for considering my thoughts and for your feedback.
Are our leaders really leaders or just the loudest voice in the crowd. Very thought provoking and potentially fearful article. Thank you Devaney it is truly strange times we live in.
Thank you for this input, Larry. I agree, fully. 🙂
I feel to get our message across we have to stand above the rest and be noticed. There are so many with so many platforms saying we must do these things and they quote a well known person, twisting that person’s message and philosophy to really dangerous ends… like rioting in the streets or causing bodily harm. In an age where the inmates run the asylum, we as leaders, must calm the inmates and give them a mindset to think and analyze to understand just what is really going on. But today there are just too many instigators that know how to push our buttons, know how to enrage us, know how to turn off our ability to think. And with some of us, what these instigators are doing is permanently changing who we are as people.
Very powerful statement Chris