In the military, the ability to communicate like a commander is not a gift – it’s a skill. Skills can be learned. In this article, we’ll detail four simple steps used in military communication that you can benefit from today.
Teams need information that is clear, concise, and quick. The military does not have a monopoly on teamwork. Managers, coaches, parents and partners; they all succeed or fail together, through their ability to communicate.
Military commanders disseminate high-level data, concepts, and strategies to the people who are responsible for executing the mission. Does the 18 year-old Private need to know the Commanding General’s scope of operations? No. But if they are on the team, regardless of their responsibility, they have a role to play, and this makes them matter.
4 Simple Steps to Communicate like a Commander:
#1 Assume Nothing:
My chemistry teacher was a genius. Yet as he lectured, he often forgot how much more he knew than his students; often omitting basics and using unfamiliar terms. This left us feeling lost.
Alternatively, one of my gym teachers left no stone unturned, “To play kickball, you must kick the ball.”
Be more like the gym teacher.
Your audience probably knows something. Assume they know nothing. Why? Taking this approach will at worst refresh knowledge. Whereas not taking this approach risks omitting necessary information.
#2 Less Is More:
How easy is it to retain and solve the following equation at a first glance:
4 + 7 * 1 – 2 * 8 + 9 + 7 = ?
What about this:
4 + 7 = ?
Words are the same science. If your team needs to know how to get to 11, both equations work. Which do you feel is easier? Anything more than necessary is probably not only wasting their time – it’s probably creating confusion.
As the leader, when you’re disseminating information, be conscious you’re communicating only what’s necessary. Be your next meeting’s hero by being mindful of the ‘less is more’ principle.
#3 Focus On What Matters:
Structure fosters consistency and simplicity.
Every military ‘concept of operation’ can be summarized into a mission statement. In non-military lingo, this is condensing a book of information into 1-2 sentences. This is done by conveying the 5Ws: Who, What, Where, When, and Why. Doing so ensures all necessary bullet points are delivered. Remember Step #2, Less Is More. The trick is to frame the values of each ‘W’ with as few words as possible. For example:
The Pittsburgh Steelers, made an upper-management decision to sign their defensive star, T.J. Watt, to a new contract last season in 2021 for a 4-year extension valued for more than $112 million dollars, making him the National Football League’s highest-paid defensive player.
Or
Last year The Pittsburgh Steelers signed T.J. Watt in order to retain their best player.
Here’s the catch:
In this obviously exaggerated example: The far-too-long ‘mission statement’ failed to deliver all five Ws – the shorter alternative did.
Focus on what matters. Avoid redundancy. Use small words. Keep it conversational.
#4 Trust But Verify:
Lastly, your endstate goal, be it a product demo or an operation order, is to remove any room for questions and confusion. This succeeds or fails based on how you deliver your critical information.
Following a presentation, how do commanders guarantee there are no outstanding questions or confusion? This is where the back-brief technique comes into play.
Try selecting the team member that seems least certain of your presentation to summarize all 5Ws. Ask someone else a question about the most complicated piece of information. Furthermore, taking this approach will condition an elevated level of attention throughout the team. “Maybe I’m getting called on, maybe I’m not – better be ready; better pay attention.”
Everybody wins.
Managers, coaches, parents and partners; they all succeed or fail together, through their ability to communicate.
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In closing, I’m going to share a little secret with you: Good military commanders, just like good corporate managers, often rehearse what they’re going to say.
Try it.
When you do, think about these 4 Simple Steps:
- Did I assume anything?
- Am I saying too much?
- Is the material focused?
- Am I confident the team has understood my message?
Success stories and challenges are welcomed in the comments.
Special thanks to JoAnne S. Bass, Chief Master Sgt. of the (ENTIRE) United States Air Force for permission to display the picture of her personifying effective communication.
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