August 2020 - Message from our President
Professional communicators, especially as we progress in our careers, can find our work lives defined by ‘tough talk.’ I’m not talking about the too-much-to-bear “oh, you make presentations look good” conversation from Barry in Finance. I’m not even talking about the final moments of The Chase while waiting for the 6pm news. (How are questions, so easy, so hard to answer correctly when a clock is ticking??) I’m talking about the anxiety and uncertainty that comes when you know someone may not agree with you; the kind of conversation where speaking can be hard, in and of itself, regardless of the conversation’s content.
I’ve heard ‘tough talk’ described in a number of different ways, but maybe my favourite is when it’s described as a ‘courageous conversation’. I like it because there’s truth in the description: when you get ready to have a conversation, knowing another person is likely to disagree or take a different position, it can be wildly uncomfortable. The easy thing to do would be to turn around, shirk away, and say “I’ll take the low offer, Bradley.” (I really need to keep the TV off before 6pm.)
But it’s right there— right in the centre of what makes us uneasy— that we can find a beauty we can all embrace.
That moment of discomfort we sense is an invitation to step into a courageous conversation. I’d even argue that, as professional communicators, we don’t have the luxury of turning away if we want to earn our ‘seat at the table’. We need to ask the silly questions, so we understand our role in achieving measurable, positive organisational results— the goals that matter. It is only then that we can move beyond reactive words on a page and use strategic communications to help our organisations remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Setting a path toward those common goals isn’t easy. People have different needs, motivations, and methods for reaching a goal; so, why would conversations that help us reach those goals be easy? By their very nature those conversations are challenging. To make matters more difficult, it’s not always apparent where we find the experience, resilience, and strength to be able to have the confidence for tough talk. At least, it may not have been before this week!
You won’t want to miss Thursday’s IABC Wellington webinar, where Arrun Soma will explore the ins-and-outs of Tough Talk with three experts in the topic. Our speakers for this month’s IABC Wellington webinar are going to explore the importance of courageous conversations when confronting, head on, important social issues. Learn how their experience may translate into the courageous conversations you are— or are about to start—having.
Nāku noa, nā
Chris
PS: I want to, again, give special thanks to two, long-standing board members of IABC Wellington who recently moved on from their positions. Jazial Crossley was President of the chapter before I came on board. She has been an invaluable source of information, expertise, and guidance. So, too, was Rhys Hurd in his role as Director of Finance. Both leave the chapter better than they found it and we all thank them for their contributions over many years.
PPS: Also, a special note to congratulate Jeff and the team at Think Stills & Motion for their work on Kramer’s Story with the Human Rights Commission. If you missed out on your chance to get a free headshot with Jeff, he’ll be at our next in-person event, later this year.
I’ve heard ‘tough talk’ described in a number of different ways, but maybe my favourite is when it’s described as a ‘courageous conversation’. I like it because there’s truth in the description: when you get ready to have a conversation, knowing another person is likely to disagree or take a different position, it can be wildly uncomfortable. The easy thing to do would be to turn around, shirk away, and say “I’ll take the low offer, Bradley.” (I really need to keep the TV off before 6pm.)
But it’s right there— right in the centre of what makes us uneasy— that we can find a beauty we can all embrace.
That moment of discomfort we sense is an invitation to step into a courageous conversation. I’d even argue that, as professional communicators, we don’t have the luxury of turning away if we want to earn our ‘seat at the table’. We need to ask the silly questions, so we understand our role in achieving measurable, positive organisational results— the goals that matter. It is only then that we can move beyond reactive words on a page and use strategic communications to help our organisations remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
Setting a path toward those common goals isn’t easy. People have different needs, motivations, and methods for reaching a goal; so, why would conversations that help us reach those goals be easy? By their very nature those conversations are challenging. To make matters more difficult, it’s not always apparent where we find the experience, resilience, and strength to be able to have the confidence for tough talk. At least, it may not have been before this week!
You won’t want to miss Thursday’s IABC Wellington webinar, where Arrun Soma will explore the ins-and-outs of Tough Talk with three experts in the topic. Our speakers for this month’s IABC Wellington webinar are going to explore the importance of courageous conversations when confronting, head on, important social issues. Learn how their experience may translate into the courageous conversations you are— or are about to start—having.
Nāku noa, nā
Chris
PS: I want to, again, give special thanks to two, long-standing board members of IABC Wellington who recently moved on from their positions. Jazial Crossley was President of the chapter before I came on board. She has been an invaluable source of information, expertise, and guidance. So, too, was Rhys Hurd in his role as Director of Finance. Both leave the chapter better than they found it and we all thank them for their contributions over many years.
PPS: Also, a special note to congratulate Jeff and the team at Think Stills & Motion for their work on Kramer’s Story with the Human Rights Commission. If you missed out on your chance to get a free headshot with Jeff, he’ll be at our next in-person event, later this year.