Over-Communicating vs Talking Too Much
Managers know they're supposed to communicate, communicate, communicate. In fact, managers are often told to "over-communicate." That's great advice - in general. However, where many managers run a muck, is they confuse over-communicating with talking too much.
Over-communicating simply means you communicate the same, clear, concise message over and over again so every employee who needs to hear it and understand it - does. In fact, your employees know the message, can recite the message, and probably dream about the message because they've heard it so many times. However, as a result, there is no confusion in any one's mind what the goal is, what the standards are, what the plan is, or whatever it is you have been communicating clearly and consistently. As a result, everyone is positioned to support the same message.
Talking too much, on the other hand, is simply using too many words, in too many various ways, to try to convey your idea, plan, or goal. When you talk too much, you often:
- Overwhelm your employees with too much information
- Confuse your employees with the variety of words, styles, and messages you've shared
- Create chaos as every employee will interpret each version of your message differently and therefore pursue different objectives
- Bore your employees with all of your blah, blah, blah, so they simply tune you out
If you believe or know you need to communicate more with your employees, congratulations. That's one step towards stronger leadership. However, before you start communicating, communicating, communicating, determine clearly what it is you need your employees to hear and understand. Then determine: What is the most basic, clear way to communicate that idea to your employees to minimize confusion, as you gain their understanding and support?
It's fine to be accused of being a manager who over-communicates. When you earn that moniker, every employee knows his or her responsibilities and is better positioned to do them to support the message you've conveyed. When you're accused of being a manager who talks too much, your employees tend to sigh and tune you out as soon as they see you open your mouth. So please, stop and think before you open your mouth. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Stop the blah, blah, blah.
Copyright MMX - Liz Weber, CMC, CSP - Weber Business Services, LLC – www.WBSLLC.com +1.717.597.8890
Liz supports clients with strategic and succession planning, as well as leadership training and executive coaching. Learn more about me on LinkedIn!
Liz Weber, CMC CSP
Liz Weber coaches, consults, and trains leadership teams. She specializes in strategic and succession planning, and leadership development.
Liz is one of fewer than 100 people in the U.S. to hold both the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designations.
Contact Liz’s office at +1.717.597.8890 for more info on how Liz can help you, or click here to have Liz’s office contact you.
Copyright © Weber Business Services, LLC All rights reserved.
24 thoughts on “Over-Communicating vs Talking Too Much”
Leave a Reply
Im glad to see this informative article. Thanks for such helpful and useful post.
Good for U. I think its one of the most informative post in this theme. Lookin' forward.
Awesome informative post. Thanks for helpful article.
Interesting and useful information. I just wanna tell U "Thanks". Thanks!
Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my blog something like that. Can I include a part of your post to my site?
Hi Laura - So glad you enjoy my blog. Feel free to share links, etc -- of course you'll credit me with any of my content:)
Great post, I'll make sure I look here regularly in the future.
So glad you like this post and plan to return. Subscribe to our RSS feed or follow me on Twitter @LizWeberCMC for regular updates
I like what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I've incorporated you guys to blogroll.
Found your website on Google and I just needed write and say I’m about to subscribe to your RSS feed
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up. Grrrr... well I'm not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Just want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is just excellent and i could assume you're an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.
28. I am not sure where you're getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission.
I have fun with, cause I found exactly what I used to be taking a look for. You've ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Thanks for the tips you have shared on your site.
35. Excellent site. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your effort!
Goodness me man I adore this one web blog. It's the first time I actually saw it yet I Dearly loved it.. Indeed will be back, you made tons of articles in on this site 😀 ok returning to do the job right away 🙂
What a great note! Thanks for the compliment. Yes: get back to work, but come back when you have time to browse through the articles and see what we've collected here! Have a great day. L
Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this website needs rather more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read rather more, thanks for that info.
I ran across this information earlier today while at work. Very helpful. Sent the link to myself and will most likely bookmark it once I go back home.
Hi there! I really wishes to give a massive thumbs up! ! ! ! for the terrific data you've gotten right here. I will be returning to your web page to get more soon.
I have been checking out a few of your stories and i need to say good stuff. I will surely bookmark your web site
I wanted to create you a little bit of note just to thank you again regarding the pleasant tactics you have featured on this website. This is extremely open-handed with people like you to give openly precisely what a number of people would've distributed as an e-book in order to make some cash for their own end, and in particular considering that you might well have done it in the event you desired. Those tactics also served to provide a fantastic way to fully grasp that some people have the same fervor just like mine to realize many more with reference to this matter. I know there are several more pleasant times in the future for individuals who find out your website.