This is the latest entry in a series of blogs based on the latest Level Five Associates book, The Power of Being All In.
All too often, we mistakenly believe that sharing information alone is communicating. (We discussed this in a recent blog post: The Communication Desert.)
Technology is feeding self-deception. Our warp-speed technology growth has created a host of platforms for sharing information, but almost none for actual communication.
We can send texts, images, videos, hyperlinks, AI transcripts, and meeting summaries faster and more clearly than ever before. What’s missing? The lack of confirmation. How do we know that what we sent to our team was actually understood?
I like the term “backbrief” to describe the leadership tool whereby the recipient confirms what he or she thinks the sender intended to convey. This is where information becomes communication.
The best leaders develop backbrief habits in their teams. Let’s consider some examples:
- Every meeting ends with each attendee backbriefing his or her takeaways for confirmation.
- Each 1:1 conversation is punctuated with periodic backbrief checks for the listener to confirm what they heard.
- Presentations include random ‘tactical pauses’ for one or more listeners to backbrief the presenter on what has been presented thus far.
- Written messages include a backbrief requirement to acknowledge receipt and summarize the intent by the recipients.
These tools will take time to implement. Adaptive leaders must accept this fact and remain steady in the saddle as the changes in communication take hold. But the benefits far outweigh the investment here.
Think how much more effective our teams will be when we don’t have to issue instructions more than once, and we get it right the first time. That’s what “backbrief” habits create. We build a culture of commitment instead of a culture of compliance because we have clarity in our communications. This can truly be powerful stuff in the complex world we’re in.
Enjoy the journey!
This blog post is based on the book, “The Power of Being All In.” You can download the first chapter for free at this link. Or, if you’d like to purchase the entire book (available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook), it is available on Amazon.
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