Communication

Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy, and mutual valuing.
— Rollo May

I’ve come to believe that communication is the thread that ties the world together. It enables us to work collectively toward objectives that one person alone could never achieve. You might argue that a genius can create an idea no one else can, and that’s true. But bringing that idea to life—executing on the vision—often requires more than just a lone wolf.

I’ll be honest—I’m not the best at communication. I don’t enjoy explaining myself to strangers or sharing personal details. In social situations, I tend to be aloof. Some might say that’s terrible for an aspiring businessman, and I’d agree, to an extent. When I read Who Not How by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy, I thought, “Hey, I still have a chance. I can hire someone to manage employees!” Moreover, Peter Drucker notes that top-level executives vary widely in personality types, including those like mine, in The Effective Executive. However, I’ve come to realize that this isn’t the best way to approach my lack of communication skills. Writing this book gives me practice in clearly presenting my ideas to others, and I know I still have miles to go.

For much of my software engineering career, I refused to admit that I needed to work on my communication skills. Surprisingly, I managed to get pretty far because a few people understood my ideas from the little I said and helped others grasp what I was trying to convey. I naturally surrounded myself with those who understood me well and worked closely with a small, trusted group. Yet, there was always an inkling that something was holding me back from being more effective.

The turning point came in my last corporate job. At this company, the key to getting promoted in any career path was the ability to write well. It took me a while to realize it, but writing well allows people to absorb information at their own pace, reference it later, and share new ideas with a large audience. This is, in fact, how society operates and why printing is considered a revolutionary invention.

Writing is just one form of communication; speaking is another. Speaking well is also a challenge for me. While I’m articulate, I’ve been told I can be blunt. I’m sure some of you reading this are chuckling, and some may even see yourselves reflected in these words. Regardless, I believe there are always ways to improve any skill. As I read more and become more conscious of my communication style with others—I don’t always do my best, especially in certain situations—I feel as if I’m unlocking a door to a whole new dimension.

Recently, my business partner and I were exploring different ideas. I had been diligently working on developing one idea, but he couldn’t see the big picture I had in mind. During a call, I decided to try explaining the big picture by tying together smaller pieces that he had already reviewed. Then, bam! It clicked for him. Suddenly, he could see a clear path to profit.

In another situation, I had a small discussion with an anonymous poster on a forum. I did my best to find common ground and cordially discuss our differences, following the advice of Benjamin Franklin. It turned out to be the most civil technical discussion I’ve had in years! These small examples truly excite me. I see light at the end of the tunnel, and I believe that daily practice in writing and speaking better will help me grow my businesses in the way I’ve always envisioned.

I believe communication skills are a cornerstone for improving leadership abilities. In High Output Management, Andrew Grove suggests that a leader should think of themselves as an amplifier. A leader can make significant contributions to an organization by improving the efficiency of their subordinates, even by the smallest amount. These subordinates, in turn, help their teams become more productive.

I can only envision such an impact through effective communication that crystalizes ideas in people’s minds. This idea aligns with my philosophy that all resources should be used effectively to enhance efficiency. However, I recognize that “efficiency” often carries negative connotations in the corporate world. Many equate it with faceless corporations cutting costs or doing the bare minimum for larger profits.

I don’t believe this has to be the case. I truly believe that effective communication can boost efficiency without sacrificing the well-being of employees.

Copyright 2024, Brian Lee