If you want people to think you’re brilliant, there are only two things you have to do:
- Be brilliant
- Communicate brilliantly
And that’s it.
For example, if you do a brilliant piece of work, and summarise it in a brilliant communication – everyone thinks you’re brilliant.
But if you do a brilliant piece of work, and summarise it in a terrible presentation – accompanied by Karaoke PowerPoint …
… they’ll assume you didn’t do a great piece of work. Even though you did!
Therefore, to ensure everyone thinks better of you:
- Become even better at your job, and
- Become even better at communication
Of course, we spend lots of time on #1.
But not much time (none?) on the second. For example – how often do you and your team:
- Have ‘Improve our communications’ workshops?
- Share brilliant communications that have landed well. ‘Copy this, everyone!’
- Immediately step-in, if you see a poor communication?
- Include ‘communication top tips’ on your team meeting agendas?
- Etc
Not enough.
Even though – to help everyone think we’re brilliant – it’s one of the only two things we have to do.
My advice?
Spend more time on it. With your team. And on your own.
Dedicated, relentless, focussed efforts on transforming your communications will transform everyone’s perception of you.
Which comms could you improve right now, so even more people think you’re even more brilliant?
Action Point
Prioritise improving your team’s communications.
Meet with them more often, to agree new ways to improve. Share and celebrate successes. Step-in when you see poor comms.
The better we are at communicating, the better everyone thinks we are at everything!