Speaking directly

When ol’ Gene worked for a paycheck, which seems like centuries ago, my job was to manage people and operations.  I gave direction to many, many people—over the span of my career, well over a thousand.  I was in a complex business with critical deadlines.  The business had to run like a clock to survive. 

Early on I learned to communicate (both written and oral) in a managerial style, which is very direct.  Many of my instructions had to be relayed to others who interfaced with our operations.  The last thing I could do was communicate indirectly, i.e. speak to the side of subjects hoping people would somehow get the message.  They had to understand exactly what was expected, what they were to do, and when. 

Also, in communicating managerially, communications had to be with a minimum of words.  Time was money and long “flowered” dissertations were often either not read or misread.  So short, direct communication was a style I tried to perfect.

That brings me to Gene Pool’s blog.  I have noted that most folks first scroll down blogs to see how long they are to determine if they have the time to read what is written.  If blogs are long and drawn out, many readers are lost quick.  And second, if readers have to work to determine what the writer means, they will stop reading.  I don’t blame them because I do the same myself.  Today everyone’s time is limited, and with the volume of “stuff” that vies for our attention, we just don’t have the time to read long dissertations trying to figure out where they are going.  So my standard limit for blog subjects is one page of 12-point type.  If it runs over one page, I go back and streamline the communication. 

All that said, I have found that in normal social life some people are not used to short, crisp communications.  They perceive them to be blunt and thus confrontational, offensive, abrasive, or all the above.  They are not used to being communicated with as such.  Also, the old saying in written communications if it can be misunderstood, it will be is always present.     

Well, ol’ Gene and his blog has not meant to offend or ruffle feathers, at least thus far.  And if I do, there will be little doubt of the offence or ruffle.  A question that has always been one of my pet peeves is, “what do you mean by that?”  I have, and will try to say what I mean, and mean what I say the best I can.  And when I error or misstate something, please point it out so I can correct and apologize.  I do not want to unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings. 

So, here I am running close to the end of one page of 12-point type.  I must come to a close.  Thanks for staying with me on this matter, assuming you have.

Gene Pool