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OPINION
The communication quarterback
Calling the ideal plays will only work for you if your team understands the role that they each play in executing.
W hat is it about Aaron Rodgers that makes him such an effective quarterback? He has a cannon for an arm, throws well from the pocket and on the move, and is elusive. All of these are essential qualities, but his decision-making ability is what makes him so effective. More specifically, he can identify the situation he is in, quickly query his available options, and make a good decision. The decision is only effective because he can communicate concisely and clearly to get everyone on the team on the same page before initiating the action. It all happens so quickly that those of us watching at home barely notice, but it is his superpower.
Justin Smith, P.E.
When working with project managers, I often hear that communication is among the most sought-after areas of development, and for a good reason. Professionals across the industry report communication as a challenge within their organization. Multiple studies have found that workplace managers are generally dissatisfied with more junior staff’s communication and teamwork skills. The impact of poor communication is considerable. Consider that, on average, 7.5 percent of revenue is lost on each project due to poor communication. When you look at a $10 million firm, recapturing just 25 percent of that lost revenue as additional profit would add nearly $200,000 to your
bottom line. Sounds great, but how can you do it? It starts by shifting your approach to communication. When working with project managers, I often ask, “What is the most effective form of communication?” The answer is overwhelmingly text, either via email, chat, or text message. Why is that? When pressed, project managers indicate that text is preferred because it allows refining language, “wordsmithing,” and laser-focusing on choosing the right words to communicate their intent. The challenge with this line of thinking is that it is purely one-directional. This
See JUSTIN SMITH, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER MAY 23, 2022, ISSUE 1442
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