STRUCTURE AND CLARITY: WE DON’T “GET” CLARITY, WE’RE ALWAYS SEEKING IT
There’s a software development company in Ann Arbor, Michigan, called Menlo Innovations. One of the ways they provide structure and clarity in their company is in how their project managers and developers communicate. To encourage developers to provide real-time information, good or bad, they instituted a very straightforward, predictable process. When the developer needs to communicate anything to the project managers, the project managers have been asked to simply smile and say “thank you.” This encourages consistent communication throughout the team, which is critical to the success of all client projects. When the developers feel safe communicating with the project managers, vital information is consistently shared, and clients receive the most up-to-date reports on their projects. Simple and effective!
Seeking Clarity
In everything we do, communication is paramount. There have been very few, if any, employees who have left an organization because they received too much communication. It's all about the flow of information. If we are afraid to provide anything but good reports, essential critical information isn't shared. One of the most famous examples of this is the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. By not seeking clarity and adhering to hierarchical authority, vital information was withheld, causing the deaths of thousands. Holding onto this information
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