In 2009, while working with Walmart Canada, Lee Scott announced his retirement from the role of CEO at Walmart Stores Inc. He made a list of lessons he’d learned over his tenured career and shared it with Walmart employees around the world. I remember reading it, printing it, and keeping it folded in my Franklin Covey daytimer (yes, I’m really dating myself here, but remember, I turn 50 this year – LOL), and referring to it time and time again.
“Communication works for those who work at it.”
– John Powell
One of the simple lessons he shared was that if the message is important, you must communicate it, then communicate it again, and again, and again because much of what was shared the first time would not be remembered. Seems onerous for a leader, but he couldn’t be more right. As the years passed and I changed both roles and companies, before I became too annoyed by the degree to which important messages were not relayed or received widely, I would remember the sage advice still folded on that piece of paper. And I would lead others through repeated rounds of communication. Later, with another 20 years of experience, I finally got more proactive, and we planned upfront for multi-channel, repeated communications of important messages that the masses needed to hear.
Human beings believe that multitasking is a special skill. It’s not really, in fact Forbes and HBR will tell you it is a bad habit. When we multitask we are not present and attuned to what is happening in real time. Yet, the human race continues to pursue the art of getting more things done rather than being wholly present and absorbing what’s taking place in the moment. So yes, regardless of your leadership level, you need to expect and plan for communicating the same things over and over again in order to catch members of the targeted audience at a time when they are open to absorbing what you want to share. Just because you feel it’s important, doesn’t mean others will in that given moment. You must communicate it more than once.
– Melissa
