I'd like to see less of...I'd like to see more of....

This post is meant to be a starting point. I'll share a couple things I'd like to see less of and a few things I'd like to see more of... Then I'd like some others to join in. Everyone has something they'd like to see less of and more of; so here's your chance. Tell the World or hold your tongue.

I'd like to see (and hear) less people say "hold your tongue..." and other cliches like, "low hanging fruit", "path forward", "it's all about the people" etc.

I'd like to see (hear) more people just say what they really think and not filter it through societal expectations, political correctness, etc.

I'd like to see more people smile and say hi! Why pick and choose? Last time I checked there was no minimum allocation of good will to be shared with others. The person you say hi to might have just had their day made by your small gesture.

I'd like to see less stone faces, seriousness, and judgement. At times I feel like an old eastern block country where we need to check in with the government to see how many minutes we get to smile today. We live in the greatest country in the World, and with all its faults we get so many choices that others do not. And if all that fails, how about just taking in the gifts that are free, the air, the trees, the lakes, the innocence of kids, ice cream sundaes, really good coffee, really bad coffee but great company...its all good. Soak some of it up; its just waiting to get noticed.

I'd like to see more careless joy. Shouting to the heavens just for the heck of it. Stomping in puddles and getting soakers and not bitching about it. Walking in the rain on a warm summer day...and not bitching about it. Marvelling at the beauty of winter, the snow on the branches and staying out too long until your toes feel numb...then bitching about it, but then taking a hot bath or shower and realizing how awesome it feels. Hanging out with kids and trying to figure out their logic and laughing when you can't.

I'd like to see less protocol, rules, policies, restrictions...I just don't like people telling me what to do. I'd definitely like to see less Robert's Rules of Order. I hate that shit. I don't like to make motions and I don't want to be recognized just so I can have the floor. What would I do with it anyway? I drive bureaucrats crazy when I make a motion and then wait a few moments and second my own motion...

I'd like to see more common courtesy. I won't give you my floor, but if you have something to say, I'd like to listen. If we are all so rude that we need some parliementary rules to govern our movements...well that's just wrong. And I do second that motion.

I'd like to see less reality shows.

I'd like to see more reality.

I'd like to see less texting and more talking.

I'd like to see someone read my non-verbal communication through a blackberry.

I'd like to see more politicians being civil and actually thinking win-win...on second thoughts, no I wouldn't.

I'd like to see less politicians. In fact, I don't want to see them at all.

Hey, this was fun. You've got to try it. Let your mind go, have some fun with it. Thhink of it as a mental freestyle run. What would you like to see less of and more of?

Dealing with Anger

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20091203/sc_livescience/studyrevealstheangriestamericans

Check out this link regarding the sources of anger study done in Toronto. Note that interpersonal relationship problems at work is among the top three sources. In addition, those with less education, those with children and of course those with time constraints and economic pressure are feeling the pain.

For years business has referred to communication skills as "soft skills" training. "Soft" as opposed to "hard" or skills that business people have believe are directly attributable to performance. I am already starting to laugh at the notion. Let's give everyone finance skills which they promptly forget or maybe we should laden spreadsheets and research upon them showing how to cut costs and re-engineer... And yet, survey after survey will reveal that communication continues to be the number one thorn in the side of companies and directly or indirectly the source of low performance.

Follow this train of thought. The leaders meet for days and forge their strategy. They then take about 15 minutes to communicate it to the masses if that. Other times they rely on a trickle down that is also cut to a fraction of time. Is it any wonder that folks down the chain do not grab on to that strategy and give it a big hug.

The next step then is to design work and manage it closely to make sure these people who arent' as engaged, do what needs to be done. This authoritarian style is mocked when backs are turned, and gets some results, but falls woefully short of what they could get. The worst by product is a lack of trust which permeates the culture and slows the communication and performance to a crawl of what it could be.

The Corporate Leadership Council produced research that names "Honest and accurate informal feedback" as the number one driver of high performance. There is no way you can accomplish this driver without a sense of trust amongst the people of your organization.

What do you think of communication in the workplace? Is it important?

What are the biggest flaws you see in your organization from a communication standpoint and what is the effect?