Unit III Positive Communication Transcript

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Dr. Sonya Rogers: In this unit, we will explain the importance of vision in relation to organizational leadership and how important it is for communication to be presented positively. We know that positive or negative communication can affect how individuals perform, and so, Dr. Hargadon, could you share what you think is an example of how leaders can speak positively or communicate positively or effectively to groups, particularly at a distance, and how they can work with them so that they’re not afraid to do their work, but they understand clearly how to perform a task?

Dr. John Hargadon: Sure, so, I think most of us have probably heard that communication is the key to success in any organization. So effective communication certainly is a critical and important conversation to have on how to effectively communicate with both with fellow teammates, superiors, and subordinates within the organization. So we have, we always having spent some time in the Marine

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Corps and going through a structure training there, we had this concept that we call repeat, verify, answer, verify. All right, so what that meant basically was that if someone asked us a question, we repeated that question and verify is that what you’re asking? And then when I say yes, that’s what I’m asking, then you answer it, and then you verify at the end, did that answer your question.

So that a little bit of an elementary example of effective communication. So basically, it doesn’t have to wait for someone to ask a question. If I’m trying to communicate an idea or a concept or vision for what we’re trying to get accomplished. If I ask that person a question—the individual with whom I’m communicating—if I ask them did you understand that, can you sort of repeat it back to me a little bit, that would be one method for having effective communication.

And by the way, the vision for the organization is one of the critical pieces, right. The leader has to understand where it is we’re trying to go, where we are (2:00-3:00) right now, and then that vision comes in with this is how we’re going to try to get there. And so the communication of that vision, not just this is where we’re trying to go, but to communicate it in a way that motivates people to want to come along with us on the journey is extremely important.

Sonya: So the vision is like the road map, and if you were running a race you wouldn’t want to just show up and hope you follow the right route, but your leader would actually be there running with you. It would be a plan of action that everyone joins in together and follows as a team.

John: Absolutely.