I have always been fascinated at how people and even things get their names. My first name, for instance, is the middle name of one of my uncles. My own middle name - Lee - is the middle of my mother. I have other relatives whose names also come from their parents and close relatives. The same is true for many people, in fact. Even objects have been known to originate from people. One of the more famous examples is the Edsel, the Ford Motor Company's disaster of an automobile introduced in the 1950s that was named after the son of Henry Ford. (For the record, even though the car did not sell well at all, at no time was this blamed on its name.)
Historically, going back to the beginning of man, to this day no one is certain how animals came to be identified. Who or what named the rabbit a rabbit? How did the coyote come by its name? The list goes on and on. There are theories, of course, as to how this came to be, but interestingly no hard evidenced has ever been uncovered to give us insight into what is actually an important part of our lives. One reason is that knowing the name of objects and animals helps make communication for all of so much easier. For instance, it is so much easier to call the police at 2 a.m. to complain, "The neighbor's dog is barking" than it is to say, "The neighbor's hairy creature with a long nose and sharp teeth is keeping me awake."
Nowadays, there are folks in the communication business who specialize in coming up with names of things. In a recent article in The New York Times Sunday Magazine (January 18, 2015), the process pharmaceutical companies follow to come up with names of new drugs was described as being quite elaborate. In this case, namers have the challenge of coming up with names that do not sound like any other drug so as to avoid confusing their users. The challenge for this special brand of professional communicators is to come up with names that are both different, yet not so off the wall as to be off-putting or laughable. With such things as money and reputation on the line, the name game often is not such a game after all.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Protecting the Free Market
Brighter! Whiter! Faster! Bigger! Stronger than ever! These are among the descriptive words most of us see and hear nearly every day. They come in the form of advertisements designed to promote some type of product. The hope, of course, is we will read or hear these exciting and stimulating words and phrases and immediately rush out to buy that new toothpaste, detergent, leaf mower or whatever it might be. On the one hand, most of us are sophisticated enough to recognize these messages as "come-ons" geared to tap into our emotions and motivate us to act in a way that we not have even thought of until that moment. But on the other, they often work.
The truth is we do want toothpaste that will make our teeth whiter and brighter than ever. We do want a leaf blower that will blast the bejesus out of the leaves that have collected on our lawn. Even if these or other products might cost a bit more than we would prefer, having something newer and better has a special appeal that, for any of us, is hard to deny or ignore. And so those descriptive words work, thus making tons of money for advertisers. It is another victory for commercial speech - that aspect of communication the courts have ruled those kind of descriptors are allowed to be used so long as they are true.
The professionals behind those phrases, generally, are quite good at what they do. But the trick is not only must these writers be creative in how they describe various products, but they must also be vigilant enough to do the proper research to ensure what they saying and/or writing is, in fact, accurate. If that is not the case, then their professional reputations are as much on the line as is the company for whom they work. There can be no compromising in this regard. Commercial speech drives the free market. The communicators behind it are the soldiers whose responsibility it is to keep it safe and out of harms way.
The truth is we do want toothpaste that will make our teeth whiter and brighter than ever. We do want a leaf blower that will blast the bejesus out of the leaves that have collected on our lawn. Even if these or other products might cost a bit more than we would prefer, having something newer and better has a special appeal that, for any of us, is hard to deny or ignore. And so those descriptive words work, thus making tons of money for advertisers. It is another victory for commercial speech - that aspect of communication the courts have ruled those kind of descriptors are allowed to be used so long as they are true.
The professionals behind those phrases, generally, are quite good at what they do. But the trick is not only must these writers be creative in how they describe various products, but they must also be vigilant enough to do the proper research to ensure what they saying and/or writing is, in fact, accurate. If that is not the case, then their professional reputations are as much on the line as is the company for whom they work. There can be no compromising in this regard. Commercial speech drives the free market. The communicators behind it are the soldiers whose responsibility it is to keep it safe and out of harms way.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Ever-Shifting Ground
There is a lyric line from an old Kris Kristofferson song called "Nobody Wins" that says, "The loving was easy, it's the living that's hard." Truer words, in many ways, were never spoken, written or sung. Loving another person speaks to the joy, frivolity, what-could-go-wrong attitude that comes with sharing smiles, good times, warmth, and shared interests with another. What is there not to love about that? Living, on the other hand, refers more to dealing with the bumps in the road, disagreements, unexpected turns, setbacks, and imposing challenges that come with life itself. Contending with that, without question, is difficult.
The reality of loving and living applies quite readily to communication. Communicating with another is easy-peesy when there is no conflict, misunderstanding competing agenda, or lack of interest. In such a scenario, it is, in fact fun. All of us, when in total sync with another, are super stars when it comes to communication. Alas, if only that were always the case. But as we all know, it is not. People often have different and even competing priorities, attitudes and feelings. People also change in terms of their opinions and likes and dislikes. In essence, it is hard for any of us to communicate well while standing on ever-shifting ground.
In these cases - and this is most of the time - communication is more about dealing with life's challenges than it is basking in the thrill of always being understood, accepted and generating the results you want. Being an effective communicator often boils down to having the courage and integrity to persevere, recognizing that no matter how hard one tries, they will never always get the results they want or necessarily expect, and being flexible enough to adjust and come up with new strategies when the unexpected does occur. It was once said that "relationships are hard, dude." To that profound observation, I add: so, too, is communication.
The reality of loving and living applies quite readily to communication. Communicating with another is easy-peesy when there is no conflict, misunderstanding competing agenda, or lack of interest. In such a scenario, it is, in fact fun. All of us, when in total sync with another, are super stars when it comes to communication. Alas, if only that were always the case. But as we all know, it is not. People often have different and even competing priorities, attitudes and feelings. People also change in terms of their opinions and likes and dislikes. In essence, it is hard for any of us to communicate well while standing on ever-shifting ground.
In these cases - and this is most of the time - communication is more about dealing with life's challenges than it is basking in the thrill of always being understood, accepted and generating the results you want. Being an effective communicator often boils down to having the courage and integrity to persevere, recognizing that no matter how hard one tries, they will never always get the results they want or necessarily expect, and being flexible enough to adjust and come up with new strategies when the unexpected does occur. It was once said that "relationships are hard, dude." To that profound observation, I add: so, too, is communication.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Facing the Unknown Dynamic
All of us live and die on the basis of the relationships in our lives. By that I mean the state of them directly has a direct impact on our own well being. Whether it is a loved one, family member, friend, colleague or even a person with whom we have only limited contact with such as a check-out person at the local grocery store, the quality of those relationships shape our disposition, level of comfort, sense of self, and ability to navigate the challenges of any given day. This is one of life's truisms. I understand man of us what to do our own thing. be our own person, etc., but the fact is our dependency on others very much affects our ability to be the best we can be.
Even though it may sound strange to say this, these observations apply to those of us who give pubic speeches as they do to any one else. Speaking before a room full of people, many of whom are strangers, is certainly not the easiest thing for any of us to do. Up there at the podium, we want to be interesting, informative, stimulating, inspiring and enjoyable. But here is the catch: it is hard to be any of those things with people we do not know or do not us. Few of us feel comfortable enough to be completely at-ease when we are surrounded by strangers. This is a genuine challenge for all called upon to speak before others.
The challenge for the speaker, then, is come up with a way that helps them feel more comfortable, so they can have a better shot at being the way they are when they are interacting with folks they do know and who know them. One way, of course, is to practice. Keep doing as many speaking gigs as you can and assume the more you do it the more relaxed you will be at it. In addition, the speaker should do all they can to break down that unknown dynamic that exists between them and members of the audience. Finding out as much as one can about the audience - its interests, concerns, wishes, etc. - and then determining how best to incorporate this information into your remarks is another effective strategy. The more one can do to take that unknown dynamic head-on, the better they will do as a public speaker.
Even though it may sound strange to say this, these observations apply to those of us who give pubic speeches as they do to any one else. Speaking before a room full of people, many of whom are strangers, is certainly not the easiest thing for any of us to do. Up there at the podium, we want to be interesting, informative, stimulating, inspiring and enjoyable. But here is the catch: it is hard to be any of those things with people we do not know or do not us. Few of us feel comfortable enough to be completely at-ease when we are surrounded by strangers. This is a genuine challenge for all called upon to speak before others.
The challenge for the speaker, then, is come up with a way that helps them feel more comfortable, so they can have a better shot at being the way they are when they are interacting with folks they do know and who know them. One way, of course, is to practice. Keep doing as many speaking gigs as you can and assume the more you do it the more relaxed you will be at it. In addition, the speaker should do all they can to break down that unknown dynamic that exists between them and members of the audience. Finding out as much as one can about the audience - its interests, concerns, wishes, etc. - and then determining how best to incorporate this information into your remarks is another effective strategy. The more one can do to take that unknown dynamic head-on, the better they will do as a public speaker.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Rocket Science
If one could construct a monument to overused expressions, then I have no doubt "It's not rocket science" would be one of those honored. This descriptive phrase is usually stated as an attempt to minimize or deflate the level of difficulty of something or even, on occasion, as a way to criticize someone who is struggling with something. Granted, rocket science is difficulty. (At least it sure sounds difficult.) At the same time, there are a lot of things that are difficult and in their own way just as complex and difficulty to grasp. For instance, why do people not find the same jokes funny? Why is beauty only in the eye of the beholder?
Communication, of course, is one of the many fields of study and practice that is not rocket science. Yet getting a firm grasp as to how best to connect with others on a consistent basis is as much of a challenge as understanding the workings of rockets. Imagine a life without being misunderstood or misunderstanding others. Without question that would be great. But the harsh reality is that it is a pipe dream. Mixed signals will also be part of our world simply because none of us articulate our thoughts as well as we always need to, nor do we listen as closely to others as well as we should. Plus, even when we are being very careful with our words and are listening as intently as we possibly can, it is no guarantee there will not be any miscommunication.
So, while communication may not be rocket science, one should not make the mistake of minimizing its difficulty. (Off-hand the only thing I can think that actually is rocket science is rocket science.) Becoming proficient in any given sport, learning to be a good cook, becoming an expert in healthcare, and helping maintain a happy relationship offer as many challenges as rocket science, too. I, for one, tip my hat to the rocket scientists of the world and the effort they make to master a difficult field. At the same, let us not forget that often gaining a grasp of the workings of communication is just as challenging.
Communication, of course, is one of the many fields of study and practice that is not rocket science. Yet getting a firm grasp as to how best to connect with others on a consistent basis is as much of a challenge as understanding the workings of rockets. Imagine a life without being misunderstood or misunderstanding others. Without question that would be great. But the harsh reality is that it is a pipe dream. Mixed signals will also be part of our world simply because none of us articulate our thoughts as well as we always need to, nor do we listen as closely to others as well as we should. Plus, even when we are being very careful with our words and are listening as intently as we possibly can, it is no guarantee there will not be any miscommunication.
So, while communication may not be rocket science, one should not make the mistake of minimizing its difficulty. (Off-hand the only thing I can think that actually is rocket science is rocket science.) Becoming proficient in any given sport, learning to be a good cook, becoming an expert in healthcare, and helping maintain a happy relationship offer as many challenges as rocket science, too. I, for one, tip my hat to the rocket scientists of the world and the effort they make to master a difficult field. At the same, let us not forget that often gaining a grasp of the workings of communication is just as challenging.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Hammers and Nails
There are many ways to divide the world - if one is so inclined. For instance, you can begin with the obvious that all people are either mail or female. Or can say there are those who either like vanilla ice cream or those who prefer anything but that. Or you can classify folks by suggesting there are those who live their lives as a hammer or nail. The implication here is that those inclined to live a hammer-like existence are ones who address challenges and/or problems head-on versus ones in the nail-campus who prefer playing things a bit more safely and are more inclined to avoid confrontation whenever possible.
Without question, there are men and women who fall more under one of those label than the other. More likely, however, is the fact that many - depending upon the circumstance - who fall under both. This is particularly true of professional communicators. Or at least it should be. No two situations are the same. Consequently, how one conducts themselves and handles each should vary. Public relations practitioners need to be nimble in how they ply their trade. Not only are so many of the communication challenges they face different, but so, too, are the people they represent. As a result, being flexible is a key characteristic to possess.
Some may find being seen as a hammer more appealing than being viewed as a nail. Without question, when one is direct and forceful they certainly give off vibes of being strong, in-charge, and a real leader. But let us not forget that it is the nail that provides meaningful security, is the glue that holds things together, and serves as the foundation on which things are built and remain sturdy. Come to think of it, being a nail does not sound so bad after all. For one to be successful in public relations, they must be both - at times at the same time with the same client. Dealing with people is not an easy thing. Often, it requires the vision of a hammer and sensitivity of a nail.
Without question, there are men and women who fall more under one of those label than the other. More likely, however, is the fact that many - depending upon the circumstance - who fall under both. This is particularly true of professional communicators. Or at least it should be. No two situations are the same. Consequently, how one conducts themselves and handles each should vary. Public relations practitioners need to be nimble in how they ply their trade. Not only are so many of the communication challenges they face different, but so, too, are the people they represent. As a result, being flexible is a key characteristic to possess.
Some may find being seen as a hammer more appealing than being viewed as a nail. Without question, when one is direct and forceful they certainly give off vibes of being strong, in-charge, and a real leader. But let us not forget that it is the nail that provides meaningful security, is the glue that holds things together, and serves as the foundation on which things are built and remain sturdy. Come to think of it, being a nail does not sound so bad after all. For one to be successful in public relations, they must be both - at times at the same time with the same client. Dealing with people is not an easy thing. Often, it requires the vision of a hammer and sensitivity of a nail.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Not the Same
In conversation and writing, it is not unusual for me to use the words or terms "communication" and "public relations" interchangeably. After all, they both refer to the interaction of individuals or publics, including all the elements that help comprise interaction and/or information exchange. Certainly, in text books and scholarly and professional journal articles I have read, it is no uncommon to see authors treat them as if the two were and are synonyms. While on a fundamental level, they are, on a deeper, more practical level they are not. My conclusion, then, it is a mistake to present "communication" and "public relations" as the same.
Generally, communication represents the kind of exchange one sees between two neighbors talking in the backyard with no agenda other than to catch-up. In such a scenario, neither has a specific set of goals involving the other. Their primary purpose for talking does not go much beyond that. As a result, the interaction is simply carried out for its own sake. It is one reason why most of us enjoy hanging with friends. It is all about the engagement rather than trying to persuade that other person to take certain action or adjust their way of thinking about an issue. Just a simple conversation between folks who enjoy each other's company.
Public relations is purpose-driven. Professionals conduct a PR campaign with a specific, measurable objective in-mind. They wish to sell more tickets to an event, raise the level of a group's membership, or increase a person or issue's visibility. These and other examples of public relations efforts also usually are conducted within a specific timeline. Given the very tangible differences between communication and public relations, then, treating the two as if they are the same does a disservice to both. I, for one, pledge not to do that again. Hopefully, colleagues and practitioners will as well. Each is complicated enough as it is without treating them as if they are the same.
Generally, communication represents the kind of exchange one sees between two neighbors talking in the backyard with no agenda other than to catch-up. In such a scenario, neither has a specific set of goals involving the other. Their primary purpose for talking does not go much beyond that. As a result, the interaction is simply carried out for its own sake. It is one reason why most of us enjoy hanging with friends. It is all about the engagement rather than trying to persuade that other person to take certain action or adjust their way of thinking about an issue. Just a simple conversation between folks who enjoy each other's company.
Public relations is purpose-driven. Professionals conduct a PR campaign with a specific, measurable objective in-mind. They wish to sell more tickets to an event, raise the level of a group's membership, or increase a person or issue's visibility. These and other examples of public relations efforts also usually are conducted within a specific timeline. Given the very tangible differences between communication and public relations, then, treating the two as if they are the same does a disservice to both. I, for one, pledge not to do that again. Hopefully, colleagues and practitioners will as well. Each is complicated enough as it is without treating them as if they are the same.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Being Visible
For the past 26 years of my professional life I have been affiliated with a large organization. It is a public institution of higher education that boasts over 33,000 students and over 6,000 employees. In addition, as a result of its many facilities and public programs, an average of more than 3 million people visit its campuses each year. Taken together, we are talking about a great many people. Despite their differences in background, age, origin, etc., they are all connected by their need for and interest in this institution: George Mason University. That kind of connectivity, of course, is no small thing.
One key challenge for the institution is how to keep all of these folks feeling connected to an entity of such size and complexity. Given its layers of depth, it is easy to see how individual students, employees and visitors could fall into a pattern of doing what they have to do - attend class, work in an office, attend a lecture, etc. - without feeling much of an affinity toward the overall entity itself. One way to address this potential scenario falls on the shoulders of its leader: the university president. A big part of this individual's job is to help make people feel good about their ties to the institution. If the president does not do that, then they are not doing their job.
This is why it is essential for this person to be as visible to the entire campus and surrounding community as possible. Obviously, the president is extremely busy and rarely, if ever, has free time o their hands. Part of that being busy, however, must be the result of being physically and actively engaged with as many of those with a connection to the university. The folks from all stations look to the leader for reassurance that their choice to connect with the university is a good one. No one can provide that as well as the top leader. This truism applies not just to George Mason but to any other public or private organization as well. When it comes to maintaining a positive connection, face-to-face communication remains the best way to go.
One key challenge for the institution is how to keep all of these folks feeling connected to an entity of such size and complexity. Given its layers of depth, it is easy to see how individual students, employees and visitors could fall into a pattern of doing what they have to do - attend class, work in an office, attend a lecture, etc. - without feeling much of an affinity toward the overall entity itself. One way to address this potential scenario falls on the shoulders of its leader: the university president. A big part of this individual's job is to help make people feel good about their ties to the institution. If the president does not do that, then they are not doing their job.
This is why it is essential for this person to be as visible to the entire campus and surrounding community as possible. Obviously, the president is extremely busy and rarely, if ever, has free time o their hands. Part of that being busy, however, must be the result of being physically and actively engaged with as many of those with a connection to the university. The folks from all stations look to the leader for reassurance that their choice to connect with the university is a good one. No one can provide that as well as the top leader. This truism applies not just to George Mason but to any other public or private organization as well. When it comes to maintaining a positive connection, face-to-face communication remains the best way to go.
Friday, January 2, 2015
The Legacy of Red Klotz
If you ever wonder if it is possible to fall short in all you do and still be considered a winner, then look no further than Red Klotz. I know. Even this guy's name makes him sound like a giant loser. But the fact is this athlete- executive was anything but someone to be mocked or written-off. For much of his professional life Klotz was the owner, manager, coach and star player of the Washington Generals, the full-time opponent of and punch line for the Harlem Globetrotters. That's right. It was Klotz' job to lead his team to defeat, yet do so in a way that never comprised the dignity of his players or downgraded basketball itself. Also, part of his responsibility was to help the Globetrotters look good.
Of the more than 5,000 games between Klotz's Generals and the Globetrotters, his team lost everyone but one. Needless to say, that one victory, a 100 to 99 squeaker played in January, 1971, - 44 years ago - on a cold night in Tennessee was an upset. Interestingly and perhaps fittingly, it was Klotz himself who scored the winning two-pointer with his famous set shot. While this lone night is an interesting and fun factoid, it does not overshadow the true essence of Klotz's career. His great contribution was to basketball itself. As a strong and reliable partner to the Globetrotters, Klotz and his group demonstrated that there can be as much weight in striving to hit the bulls-eye as there is in actually hitting the bulls-eye.
Such a reality is not all that different when it comes to communicating. All of us communicate everyday with those around us. Sometimes we succeed and many times we do not - at least as well as we might like. Given that, it does not mean we should stop trying to be the best communicators we can; nor does it mean communication itself is unworthy of our efforts or energy. By doing what he did, Klotz, who passed away in 2014, made a great contribution to the sport of basketball. Making good-faith efforts to connect with others provides invaluable support to the importance of communication. We should do we can to carry on the legacy of this man called Klotz.
Of the more than 5,000 games between Klotz's Generals and the Globetrotters, his team lost everyone but one. Needless to say, that one victory, a 100 to 99 squeaker played in January, 1971, - 44 years ago - on a cold night in Tennessee was an upset. Interestingly and perhaps fittingly, it was Klotz himself who scored the winning two-pointer with his famous set shot. While this lone night is an interesting and fun factoid, it does not overshadow the true essence of Klotz's career. His great contribution was to basketball itself. As a strong and reliable partner to the Globetrotters, Klotz and his group demonstrated that there can be as much weight in striving to hit the bulls-eye as there is in actually hitting the bulls-eye.
Such a reality is not all that different when it comes to communicating. All of us communicate everyday with those around us. Sometimes we succeed and many times we do not - at least as well as we might like. Given that, it does not mean we should stop trying to be the best communicators we can; nor does it mean communication itself is unworthy of our efforts or energy. By doing what he did, Klotz, who passed away in 2014, made a great contribution to the sport of basketball. Making good-faith efforts to connect with others provides invaluable support to the importance of communication. We should do we can to carry on the legacy of this man called Klotz.
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