HOWE Q. WALLACE BLOG

Repetition in Communication

“The problem with communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” – George Bernard Shaw

I chuckled when I read this. It is so true.

I have facilitated many team improvement processes. Always one of the chief improvement strategies suggested is to communicate more and communicate better.

I repeat themes in these notes: safety, lean, leadership, customer service, courageous communication.

Sometimes I worry that if I keep repeating myself, I’ll lose the audience. Then I read where it has been stated that for something to be heard and to stick, it needs to be repeated seven times.

So, following the cue, I’ve become a serial repeater. I tell stories and reinforce concepts that I believe will make a difference.

Take a look at your communication. Does the group you lead suffer from having too little information? It may be that you don’t repeat or tell it often enough.