Even if you don’t see yourself as detail oriented, paying attention to details can make a difference between average and outstanding communication. The expression, “it’s all in the details” takes on fresh meaning in these situations. Consider these examples:

The executive who isn’t clear in his instructions but expects his assistant to know precisely what he has in mind. The assistant books his travel and the exec yells at her because it wasn’t the exact schedule that he wanted (which he, of course, never mentioned).

The project leader who asks her team if they have accomplished certain tasks. When it comes time for the next stage in the process, she learns that yes, they completed those tasks, but she “forgot” to give them information that affected their accuracy.

The operational leader who takes short cuts in giving direction because he assumes that his direct reports “know what he means.” Some of those direct reports may be telepathic, but chances are that they are not perceiving what he isn’t saying.

Yes, these are mundane examples, but they occur by the dozens every day. What can you do to avert these situations?

Overcommunicate. Be precise in your directions, and depending on the scenario, you may want to follow up with an email, reiterating your request. Check in with your team during the time they’re working on the project, not 5 minutes before the deadline.

Clarify deadlines. Never assume that people understand a timetable unless you clarify it from the beginning. Too many times you hear, “Oh, I thought I had more time,” when the root of it is that a timetable or deadline was never clarified.

Break it down. If you’re working on a tight timeframe, chunk your request into manageable pieces to further clarify what you’re seeking. (For those of you who think this is too much – “they should know how to do this” – this may be true, but tight deadlines often lead to errors. When you’re precise and rushing, there will be fewer mistakes.)

Be reasonable. When you yell at people to finish something, they will feel more anxiety, leading to more mistakes. Be firm, but civil.

It’s all about putting yourself in the minds of the people you’re talking to. Take the extra minute to think from their perspective, and you’ll be pleased with the results – even if you’re not a detail person!

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
– Benjamin Franklin

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