Tag Archives: communication

White Paper War

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“We will fight the White Paper as if there is no war, and fight the war as if there is no White Paper.” -David Ben-Gurion, Head of the Jewish Agency for Palestine in September 1939 (he later became Israel’s 1st Prime Minister)

1939 was not a good year to be a Jew.  In Continental Europe, Nazi Germany was embarking on systematic genocide of Jews and in Great Britain, a combination of Anti-Semitism and a desire for Arab support in the war effort against Germany created the famous “White Papers”.  The White Papers were laws passed in Britain that limited Jewish immigration to Palestine and gave local Arabs the right to control land, travel, and transport for Jewish refugees from Europe.  The British Government was desperate to appease and have the support of the Arab population in the Middle East during the war and so it enacted the White Papers to the frustration of Jews in the British Empire and beyond.

So if you’re a Jewish leader in 1939 what do you do?  You do something unique.  Why?  Because you have to.  Ben-Gurion decided to launch a 2 front movement with the Zionist movement.  It would strongly support the British/Allied cause in World War 2 and simultaneously disregard and circumvent British Authority when it came to the White Papers.  Jews were smuggled into Palestine every way possible and at the same time Jews served in the British Army fighting Germany all the way to 1945.  Finally, in 1948 Israel became a sovereign nation led by Ben-Gurion.

In leadership, you may find yourself in situations where people need clarity, even when it’s not easy to provide.  Ben-Gurion set out to define for Jews a reality, fuzzy, but HONEST.  For 7 years they worked at 2 seemingly opposing strategies but ultimately leading to one goal.  Sometimes people just need honesty, even when it’s confusing.

Sarcastic Confusion

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“I’m only joking.”

“Just Kidding”

“I wasn’t serious.”

Really? How would I tell… You deadpan sarcasm so much that I can’t figure out which of your statements are serious and which of them are actually playful humor.

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If the previous section strikes a cord with you, it is time to rethink your communication style. Better yet, read this to someone who works closely with you AND who will tell you the truth. If they say it ‘might describe you on occasion’ (which is their polite & honest way of saying YES) then you do have a communication problem. Sarcasm is an easy, painful and lazy communication pattern. Leaders communicate straight on about issues. Leaders hold back unnecessary comments. Leaders measure their words knowing that they have impact. 

  • Never communicate truth through sarcasm – go head first into the issues OR don’t worry about it.
  • If sarcasm becomes more than 25% of your ‘style’ with any individual, you don’t really have a relationship with them.
  • Observe other really sarcastic people and reflect deeply on your opinion of them AND other leaders’ opinion of them.

Ultimate Communication

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I was re-introduced to “Ultimate Frisbee” this weekend; the main difference this go around being that I played for real. ‘Ultimate’ (the players’ shortened name for the game) is like soccer meets football but with less contact, more scoring and a disk (frisbee). It evidently is a viable recreational sport with leagues and all in the Pacific Northwest. While taking part in the pseudo-competitive team atmosphere I was reminded again about just how far a small bit of well timed communication can take a group of individuals who desire to win together. In fact, I would say it was the differentiator between the ‘winners’ and the ‘losers’.

On the field communication incorporates the the small and easily overlooked items. It takes into consideration the quick assignments of responsibilities in the heat of the action. Our ‘normal’ roles are accounted for by the definition of our pre-assigned position but in the heat of it all there are always fine adjustments to be made. Field communication doesn’t have time for egos, arm chair decision making or sulking about small assignments. In fact, it is usually less focused on what others need to do and more focused on communicating quickly and precisely what I will do and contribute; who I will guard on defense, where I am going on offense, immediate scoring opportunities and also urgent threats to the team which could result in a defeat or at minimum a score against us. And throughout the entirety of a game, teams with great communication skills assess their situation regularly, dole out encouragement, bark about adjustments to be made and remain committed to the blaring fact that the only way they win is if they work together as a team.

Godin: Communicators

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— unapologetically passing along a great post on Communication form Seth Godin —

The two elements of a great presenter

1. Respect (from the audience) 
2. Love (to the audience)

There are no doubt important evolutionary reasons why this is true, but in my experience, every great presenter earns the respect of the audience (through her appearance, reputation, posture, voice, slides, introduction, etc.) and captures the attention of the audience by sending them love.

Love takes many forms. I love you enough to teach you this. I love you enough to help you. I love you enough to look you in the eye. Or, in the case of rock and roll presentations, I love you enough to want to engage in various acts with you, right now, backstage.

Margaret Thatcher was a great presenter, even though she had none of the glib charisma people expect from someone with that title. That’s because people (even those that disagreed with her) respected her before she started, and they understood at every moment that her motivation was to motivate and improve the lives of those she was presenting to.

In the famous interrogation scene in Basic Instinct (link not included so no one yells at me), Sharon Stone does a brilliant presentation. She instantly earns (a sort of) respect from the cops and their undivided attention at the same time. She replaces love with sex, and it works.

Tony Robbins is considered an astounding presenter for a similar reason. His stage presence and reputation and energy and sheer size earn him respect, and his generosity and complete connection with the audience is received by them as love. The result is a connection far bigger than the content alone would account for.

If you have love but no respect, you’re a lounge singer. Fail.

If you have respect, but no love, you’re like one of the rare self-promotional talks at TED. Fail.

Consider this clip from Patton. In 28 seconds, George C. Scott delivers both.

When you create a presentation, think about what your status will be as you begin the presentation. What can you do to prewire, to earn more respect from the start? How can you be introduced? Lit? Miked? What can you wear? If your reputation doesn’t precede you, how do you earn it?

Don’t apologize at the beginning of the talk. For anything. Don’t hide in the dark. Don’t hide behind a wall of bullet points.

And then, as the talk (pitch/presentation/interview) begins, don’t focus your energy or concern on yourself. It’s not about you. It’s about them. The presenter who loves his audience the most, wins.