Candid feedback and discussions have given way to political correctness by most to avoid offending and alienating others. Most remain quiet to be seen as a team player or to avoid criticizing the idea of someone held in high regard or someone who has presented an idea with great confidence. People don’t speak their minds because it’s easier not to. Yet it is because of the value of their experience and the need for their candid opinion that they are made a member of a team. In this business environment of constant change, with organizations searching for the new big idea and racing to remain competitive, it is candor that is most needed. Honest input to avoid wasting time and money on projects destined to fail.

Good Communication Skills are Key

Team members won’t admit when there are problems with an idea or project but hope instead that someone else will speak up. The mounds of failed projects would suggest that rarely does that brave individual come forward. For those brave enough to speak up very few feel they speak up in a skillful way to effect change.

There is a clear difference between speaking up and speaking up well. Often those who do make some attempt to speak up are ineffective. They may dilute their concerns so the issues are never fully aired or their candor provokes defensiveness due to clumsy presentation. The good news is that those who have developed their communication skills are able to share their full concerns in a manner in which their views are received well and understood.

While the skill of the initiator is key in ensuring candor is received well, the receptiveness of the other party is also important. When you do engage in candid discussion, be prepared to also deal with defensiveness.

Most people lack the confidence to address sensitive issues because they don’t know how to initiate risky discussion. Those who learn how to present ideas effectively, hone their communication skills and communicate with candor become heroes.

5 Quick Ideas to Get You Started
 Before a meeting review the agenda so that you are clear about the topics and the issues.
 Speak with the facilitator before the meeting to clarify understanding. Through this discussion he will know you have an opinion on the issue and will glance in your direction to encourage you to share.
 Rehearse your thoughts before the meeting so that when your opportunity to share presents, you can do so clearly and concisely.
 Inhale, hold and expel a deep breath before you speak to clear your mind and nerves.
 Focus on remaining calm – avoid speaking too fast or too loud which may accelerate your heart rate.

The Benefit of Candor
Candor gets more people in the conversation, and when you get more people in the conversation many more ideas surface, get discussed, are dissected and improved. Instead of shutting down, everyone opens up and idea generation and debate happen. Any organization, unit or team that generates more thoughts and ideas has the advantage.

Of course candor is easier when you are the CEO, but lack of candor from reports can stifle the growth of an organization and cut the career of a CEO short.

Read a detailed article about Communicating with Courage and Candor in the January issue.

The January issue of Posi+ively Successful will be filled with several articles to help you get heard, improve your passive and active communication skills, confidently present your ideas and opinion and influence across the organization. Subscribe now.

Stand apart. Take the road less travelled. Commit to candor, your organization needs more of it.