Photo by Alex Blăjan on Unsplash
Last week I wrote about how reading for pleasure can help us to slow down. But why would I want to slow down? Instinct tells me that the faster I go, the more I will get done, and getting more done is always good, right?
Maybe. But quality is also important and a frequent casualty of hurrying is good communication. In almost every job or business, it’s important to communicate well. To delegate, market, negotiate, build relationships, etc. Here are five ways we can improve communication by slowing down:
- Tone. Rushing can make us come across as assertive or even aggressive. I know I have to watch this in emails. My eagerness to communicate the basic information can make me forget pleasantries. This doesn’t always matter, but leaving them out needs to be a decision, not a default.
- Detail. Slowing down ensures I remember to check figures, the spelling of names and other details that seem small but can cause all sorts of problems if they slip through the net.
- Structure. Have I included everything I need to in the email? Have I explained things clearly? Have I said what I am going to say, said it and then said what I have said? Panning an email or letter may seem over the top, now that we have so many modes of instant communication at our disposal, but a well put together written document, or even a well planned phone call can save a lot of time and make everyone’s job easier.
- Mode of communication. If I stop to think, I may realise a phone call will be more efficient and faster in the long run than an email that will be queried, and may result in a long thread of messages going back and forth until everything has been clarified. Or if formality is required, it may be better to write a proper letter and attach it to an email than simply shove all the information into a message. And what about a face to face meeting rather than a phone call? Sometimes it makes all the difference.
Communication is a huge aspect of any business. Sometimes you only have one chance to get it right. From that perspective, taking a few extra minutes is a good investment, isn’t it?
