5 Reasons Why No One is Listening
Much of leadership is based on your ability to get the word out. The best ideas go nowhere if you can't share them with others. Consider that few leaders are short on vision, but most leaders' visions fall short. Why is this true? Because they fail to communicate effectively. Consider five reasons why no one may be listening to you.
Few leaders are short on vision, but most leaders' visions fall short: a failure of communication.
1. Too many words
You lose people when you use too many words. The attention span of an individual is short. The attention span of a group of people is shorter. Few good ideas can hurdle a comma, none survive a period. If you cant say what you want in one sentence you have more work to do. Your grasp of an idea is proportionate to how long it takes you to explain that idea.
2. Lack of compulsion
People can't do what you don't ask them; the best ideas provoke others to action. You need to tell people what that next step is. Include a clear call to action, even if that action is symbolic. It will increase the contagiousness of your idea and help people latch on to what you are saying.
People can't do what you don't ask them.
3. Only one voice
People need to hear what you are saying through the voices of others. You are not the best communicator for every audience so dont try to speak to every audience. Train other people to carry your message and see your influence multiply. Ideas spread exponentially when others are equipped speak on your behalf.
4. They have heard it before
If your idea sounds like other ideas then you need to go back to work. The ability to differentiate your vision is critical. People only need one lifetime supply of anything. If they think they have already bought what you are selling then forget about it.
The ability to differentiate your vision is critical.
5. You only say it once
You are never done sharing your vision. The second you stop saying it is the second they stop hearing it. Say it, say it again, and then say it again. Good, now train others to do the same (see #3).
