Okay, let me first ask you – imagine you are dating – Would you prefer it if the girl/boy you’re interested in rejects you in a straightforward manner, providing clear closure, or would you rather have them respond ambiguously, leaving you in a state of uncertainty? And then wonders for days – was it yes, no, maybe.
"What you see is what you get."
This phrase serves as the title of a remarkable business autobiography penned by English entrepreneur Alan Sugar. Upon reading the book, one distinctive trait stands out – his directness. Sugar doesn’t beat around the bush or sugarcoat his words; he tells it like it is.
Sugar doesn's sugarcoat (you have to read this amazing book!)
In the past, I used to believe that certain situations, particularly when delivering criticism, required a layer of sweetness and euphemisms. However, I’ve come to realize that such an approach often leads to misunderstandings. Messages become obscured, and responses become equally unclear, resulting in a clouded relationship.
Directness is not rudeness. It's respect.
Directness, in this context, doesn’t imply rudeness or relationship damage. Instead, it enables a higher level of respect. It involves speaking candidly without obfuscation.
Directness shouldn’t be confused with naivety or unwarranted disclosure of confidential information. It merely means discussing matters in a clear and straightforward manner.
When people are ambiguous - it's often a power play.
Ambiguity in communication often conceals an ulterior motive. It’s a tactic used in power plays where intentional ambiguity fosters an environment where others constantly try to decipher hidden meanings. Politicians, for example, may employ ambiguity strategically to remain unpredictable.
Returning to the realm of business, if you’ve previously preferred direct rejection, then embracing directness in business communication should come naturally. Clear communication within your team and with your partners will save you valuable time and energy that would otherwise be spent deciphering intentions.
An intriguing study found that in companies where meetings are conducted standing up, communication tends to be more direct, concise, and focused. This is not surprising, as standing through a lengthy meeting can be quite exhausting.
Direct communication and clear action plan
Finally, a crucial aspect of direct communication is to conclude business discussions with a clearly defined action plan. This should outline what has been agreed upon and specify the responsibilities of each individual moving forward. Without this, business meetings can easily devolve into unproductive sessions. Personally, I find it useful to summarize meetings in a concise format, often as bullet points.
I highly recommend reading “What You See Is What You Get” by Alan Sugar and actively fostering direct communication without ambiguity.
Your team and colleagues will undoubtedly appreciate it.
