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While Youre Waiting


Not long ago, I made a partnership pitch, on behalf of an organization I represent, to another organization with similar interests. If the idea had come to fruition, it would have radically changed our organization.

So, you can imagine my impatience when I didn't hear back from the person to whom I'd made the proposal. She had welcomed the idea, but told me the decision would be made by a council within her organization.

Given the dynamics of an important decision about the future of their organization, I didn't expect a quick response. But, I would have liked at least an update advising me on the status of their considerations.

Then, I had a "Eureka," or maybe I should call it a "Whoops," moment. I realized I hadn't reported back to the people in my organization either. That made me guilty of the same lapse of communication as the lady in the other organization. With that recognition, I made amends by sending out an email to my organization, and followed up with a report at a meeting.

In taking an analytical view of this incident, I realized that nothing can be something when it comes to communication.

The idea that nothing can be something seems counter-intuitive. But remember the famous Sherlock Holmes observation about the dog that didn't bark; the fictitious detective solved a baffling case by noting what did not happen, rather than what did happen.

You can probably come up with several ideas about the importance of communicating even though nothing has changed. That's especially true if you're the one who didn't hear from someone else.

First, you may have made plans that assume either a change in or a continuation of the status quo. Perhaps you're holding off on holiday plans until the issue is resolved one way or the other.

Second, at least you know that an anticipated decision or event hasn't yet occurred, and that you didn't miss something (for example, as I write this I'm waiting for a client to confirm some information and it would be nice to know that I haven't missed a callback or an emailed reply).

Third, if you've received an update telling you nothing has happened, you don't need to contact that person and ask if there have been any developments. Similarly, you can advise the people who look to you for information.

One other note about the 'nothing can be something' idea: It's a variation on what I've called the Everybody Knows syndrome. That refers to a failure to communicate, based on the assumption that others know what I know.

In summary, it's a good idea to report regularly, even if nothing has happened, since others may not know you're still waiting as well.

About The Author

Robert F. Abbott writes and publishes Abbott's Communication Letter. If you subscribe, you will receive, at no charge, communication tips that help you lead or manage more effectively. You can get more information here: http://www.CommunicationNewsletter.com

abbottr@managersguide.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Negotation Skills - Google News

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Medical events in Riney's sights - Crain's Detroit Business


REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Medical events in Riney's sights
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Riney has honed his relationship and negotiation skills during his 33-year career at Henry Ford by working in nearly every one of the system's business units. And he's forged relationships with numerous national leaders as vice chairman of the National ...

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Harvard helps J&K cops shed killer image - Daily News & Analysis


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The police have roped in experts from Harvard University to introduce soft skills including negotiation and communication, listening skills, ethics and professional conduct based on a public service mindset. Conducted by Jim Tull, the training covered ...

'Hone negotiating skills to seal robust contracts' - Hindu Business Line


Hindu Business Line

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Robustness of a contract flows from the skill to negotiate convincingly and manage trade relationships and commitments, according to a leading management consultant. This requires constant updating of knowledge and exposure to various international ...

Learn to negotiate - GreaterKashmir.com


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Close your eyes for a minute and think how many times you negotiated yesterday, you will see that your day almost started with negotiation and even ended with it. It is not just negotiation. There are other important abstract skills that we practice in ...

Donald Trump Gets Chumped in Century 21 Super Bowl Ad - Reuters


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But the Donald's latest collaboration takes a playful dig at the famously egocentric real-estate mogul's negotiation skills. Also read: Super Bowl Ad Sneak: Preview Seinfeld, Ferris, "Hunger Games" and All the Rest In the spot, Trump goes head-to-head ...

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Three Negotiation Skills That Can Jumpstart The Economy - Forbes


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In a commercial environment laden with these challenges, negotiation skills are a key skill set to getting the economy back on track. Negotiation skills are the life-blood of business. From the decisions made by executives at the top, ...

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West Point group teaches art of negotiation - ArmyTimes.com


West Point group teaches art of negotiation
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Perhaps no Army organization values the power of persuasion like the West Point Negotiation Project, a group that is changing the way cadets and soldiers communicate — often by teaching techniques that fly in the face of traditional Army bravado.

The art of negotiating - Fiji Times


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Negotiation is an art and those who are good at it can bring success to a business entity. For international business, negotiation techniques and skills are necessary tools of the trade. Before we move to international trade and business, ...

Negotiation Skills have Global Appeal - NewsReleaseWire.com (press release)


Negotiation Skills have Global Appeal
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"The students who sign up to improve their negotiating skills represents every aspect of ambition in life from securing admission to a particular university, improving the profits of an individual company or a giant corporation, counseling patients, ...

The Top 3 Negotiation Skills That Will Advance Your Career - MarketWatch (press release)


The Top 3 Negotiation Skills That Will Advance Your Career
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Jim Camp, states, "You are only one decision away from safety and one decision away from success when you have a system of negotiation." One should know strong negotiation skills are life's corner stone to all you will ever build.

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