CRISIS MANAGER
The Internet Newsletter about Crisis Management
Editor: Jonathan Bernstein

Published: Tuesday, November 01, 2010

Karen Friedman

Reality check shows readers how to tell people what they need to know even if it's not what they want to hear and even if the listener is a boss or someone influential who could affect your career. Drawing on sessions with executives who frequently complain they are surrounded with "yes men", the chapter presents a series of reality check communication techniques to walk readers through how to create trust by addressing problems head on. Through personal experiences, case studies and observations from these specific situations, readers will learn how to apply reality check points in their own business interactions.

To take your own reality check, ask the following questions:

1. What do I want people to know?

2. What are the facts as opposed to rumors or perceived facts?

3. What do people think they know that they aren't discussing?

4. Would the health, safety or well being of anyone be jeopardized if I don't communicate what I know?

5. What do we know or feel that we're not discussing?

6. Are the real issues on the table?

7. Why am I afraid to say what I really think?

8. Am I taking this too personally?

9. What is the possible outcome if I don't reveal certain information?

10. Am I just being polite because I don't want to offend or look foolish?

11. What's the worst that can happen if I have this difficult conversation?

12. Could my real feelings change the course of action?

13. Will my actions compromise trust, credibility or my reputation?

14. Am I able to take responsibility without blaming others?

15. Am I hiding anything?

16. What is the right thing to do?

17. If I were my listener, what would I want see happen?

Being straight with people is probably more important than it's ever been. Thanks to an insatiable demand for information and such ease at instantly sharing that information with people across the globe, I believe the average citizen has forced big business to change. Information such as compensation that was once private is now public. For many companies, the days of lavish golf outings and pricey gifts to prospects are over. People can spot spin almost quickly as Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins can steal a base. Inability to recognize and accept this can spell the difference between success and failure.

Be honest with yourself if you want to tell the truth to others.

Karen Friedman is the author of SHUT UP and Say Something: Business Communication Strategies to Overcome Challenges and Influence Listeners (Praeger 2010) and the co-author of Speaking of Success: World Class Experts Share Their Secrets. President of Karen Friedman Enterprises, Inc., her techniques to help business professionals become more powerful persuasive communicators have been applied on four continents. A professional communication coach and speaker, she was formerly an award-winning television news reporter and a political candidate. She can be reached at 610-292-9780 or by visiting www.karenfriedman.com