In his Crisis Guru Commentaries, Jim Lukaszewski provides real answers to real questions about your most critical communications problems and issues.

To submit a question, please direct it by e-mail to crisisguru@e911.com.  Be sure to include your full name, affiliation, address, and telephone number.  All published questions will be identified by title and industry only.  Your confidentiality will be protected.

Question:
 
Dear Crisis Guru:

I came across your website and was pleased to see that you deal in tough, touchy, sensitive problems.  Perhaps you could help me with one?

I’m currently responding to a question from a business professional whose meetings drag on overtime because her CEO likes to go off topic (and take everyone else with him).  What’s the most important advice that you might give to this woman to tactfully handle this problem? She likes her job except for the endless meetings.

Thank you.

Business Advice Column Editor

Answer:

Dear Editor:

Here’s my approach:

Start a regular program of internal and external speaker evaluation by all audiences . . . include everybody.

Ask three questions:
In the space below:

Please, if you can, provide one constructive suggestion as to how this individual can improve the quality of their presentation, the usefulness of their information, or their relationship to the audience.

This method allows a much broader audience to anonymously make the suggestions your questioner seeks.  And the feedback generated is really quite valuable.

This is what I do.  This does work.  Leaders do far more staff meetings than public appearances.  The offensive behavior is a form of bullying and intimidation that must be dealt with inside, because that's where it matters.  Speaking outside these people rarely offend their hosts or peers.

All managers and leaders inherently believe they are good, no . . .excellent communicators.  It is a delusion that comes with titles.  The bigger the title the grander the delusion.

It is important to do this because verbal skill is the most essential ingredient of leadership.


The process is introduced for all internal speakers and is very safe . . .  it also fosters better speaking habits, because that is the intent for doing it.  If its only target is a single person it may be risky.


Good luck with your column.

Cordially,

Jim Lukaszewski