6 secrets of global communication

Communicators find real unity in all that crap

I have discovered the key to world peace.

It was there all along, forged by the common bond that brings us all together, in organizations throughout the world.

It is simply this: Communications sucks all over.

We are humans dealing with horrific approval processes that destroy clarity and timeliness, and with executives who insist on abstract, jargon-filled “visions” rather than bold and direct leadership. Humans trying to connect with an audience through one good sentence, image or sound bite.

In our consulting work, we’re lucky enough to meet communicators from all over the world. And while every organization has its own distinct culture and peculiarities, the real secret is that they are all so very much the same.

Whether it’s an old-line American behemoth, a European startup or a new Middle East conglomerate, crap is the great uniter. Who’s got time to fight about politics when we’re so busy trying to keep the boss from going all mumble-mouth?

Here’s a sampling of the crap that binds us together:

1. All organizations have initiatives that no one can comprehend. They have strategic pillars, three-legged stools, key drivers and abstract concepts that never quite sink in with employee audiences.