By Marisa Geitner, president & C.E.O. of Heritage Christian Services
Great communication is key to the success of any
organization – especially one like ours with such an important mission. But long
lasting success rarely comes from large corporate communications plans. It
comes instead from authentic conversations, the kind where all those invested in our
mission not only receive information but feel that they, too, have been
heard.
These conversations – planned or spontaneous, between two or
among many – set the tone for an entire agency. They are where we learn from
one another or push each other away. They are where we strengthen our culture
and our commitment to the people we serve or shut down innovative ideas.
So, what can we do?
We can turn off our automatic responses and listen more. We
can show emotion and make it easier for people to read us and our intentions.
We can talk about what is going right and plan how to make it work even better.
We can offer specific feedback that helps people grow and learn. We can take
risks and share what’s most important to us and to the people we serve, always
with tact so we’re offering dignity and showing respect.
We can model courage and honesty in all that we do because that
is the kind of communication that strengthens a great organization.
