1BACK UP TO GO FORWARD

WE ARE NEGLECTING THREE VITAL COMMUNICATION HABITS

It was the conversation that he’d been waiting—and paying me—for. After months of work, I was ready to brief my client, a CEO who had asked me to help him determine why his vision for the company wasn’t being supported by key executives and employees. I’d spoken with almost every manager, and many employees, in the company, and in the course of those discussions, a clear structural problem and two readily available solutions emerged. I was bringing him very serious, but also very good, news.

The CEO welcomed me into his office, closed the door, and told me how anxious he was to hear my findings. As soon as I began speaking, the CEO’s cell phone rang. Apologizing, he looked ...

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