Or maybe I should say this “Countess” has no subjects.
My job title is officially the “Countess of Communication”. That is the role I play in three different companies and working with all kinds of clients - from wineries to CPA firms to an air filter company. I am supposed to get this whole communication thing.
But here’s the problem.
Communication is hard. Darn hard. Really hard. Harder than it should be, even for a countess.
It’s not hard in the sense of heavy lifting boulders in the hot sun, or figuring out the gene that causes breast cancer, or discovering why Basset Hounds have long ears. Not that kind of hard, but hard in a – “dang, why did THAT just come out of my mouth” kind of way.
Here is a sample of the communication related issues that made up my week:
1.Two meetings related to training for two generations who work together in business – communication is one of the issues in each case.
2.Communications consultation for a small business owner looking to get the right words for a marketing presentation.
3.Three PowerPoint slideshow reviews for people trying to get their message straight for upcoming presentations.
4. Two or three blog reviews/edits to add clarity to messages
5. Explaining the importance of DISC training in business – we see communication as the foundation to any successful business strategy. You must start there.
But here’s the rub.
Right smack in the middle of this communication-filled week, I had to sit down with a professional to address my own poor communication skills in dealing with my 20 something child. A child I adore. We sat next to each other on a couch and talked through the third party about things we couldn’t discuss directly. We live in the same house and hardly speak to each other.
I'm a cobbler, why couldn’t I just make us each a pair of soft, silky slippers to make it all better?
Thank goodness for professionals.
4 Comments
Jan
6/19/2010 06:23:59 am
And did everything work out in the end?
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My favorite quote about this is from George Bernard Shaw, "The trouble with communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
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6/20/2010 03:54:49 am
When it comes to being a parent...throw all credentials out the window. My relationship with Beloved Son has not always been wonderful. There were times when I would vacillate between stony indifference and over-the-top blow-your-top several times a day (ultimately ending with me sobbing in the pantry over the dryer). I took my frustration and insanity to the confessional. 3rd Parties are good. Professionals are good. For some reason, it is easier to re-frame, with a 3rd party involved.
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9/23/2013 02:44:06 am
Your blog is amazing and i visited your more section on this blog .in this section one topic
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Geni Whitehouse CPA, CITP, CSPM Author, speaker, trainer > 50% Countess of Communication, Brotemarkle,Davis Co. > 50% Writin', speakin', consultin' Co-founder of SolveServices.com a remote bookkeeping service for wineries. How to hire me. Author How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard I have a ton of other websites including my newest for Twitter newbies www.evenatwit.com Originally from Greenville, SC, I now live in Napa, California. Contact Geni
I am an accountant on a mission. I want to permanently remove the blight of BORING that has attached itself to members of my profession.
But the boring blight doesn't stop there. It's everywhere. I've found it in wineries (although it's a tad more palatable when served with alcohol), in science labs, even in Art museums. And technology people carry the "B" gene too. But the condition need not be fatal. I lecture around the country to accountants and technology audiences and I have a ball. I was a partner in an Atlanta CPA firm when I realized technology was my true passion and I have been fighting the nerd versus geek battle ever since. Through some stroke of absolutely amazing luck, I now find myself in Napa -- the most gorgeous, hospitable place imaginable. Are you on Twitter? You can follow my nerdy life there : evenanerd Contact me [email protected] I am a graduate of the Jeff Justice Comedy Workshoppe and the Persuasive Speaker course taught by Speechworks. I highly recommend both of these organizations. I have also taken training from the amazing Lynda Spillane. I am not unbiased, nor do I wish to be. I have done work for anyone and everyone in the software industry or the accounting profession. If I am not impressed by what you do or can't find an angle that is interesting or unique, I won't work for or with you. And if you are stodgy or boring, there are not enough dollars or even euros to make me help you. See samples of my writing here: www.salestaxradar.com www.mybizcounts.com Archives
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