I am a runner. I run six days a week: distance, hills, and sprints, and I love it.
BUT:
If I jet out the door too quickly and launch into a full stride, I'll pay for it later. My right hamstring will sharply remind me of its important role. I won't be able to ignore it.
Bottom line: When I warm up with intentional stretching, things go well.
When I don't warm up, I risk injury and ultimately have to pay in the form of time off from doing what I love to do.
Here's my muscles-as-noodles metaphor:
No Warm-up: No bueno. My muscles are like uncooked noodles-- stiff and ready to snap. My experience is rarely as enjoyable as it could be.
Warm-up: Wow! My muscles are more like al dente noodles: Just right and ready. The experience is so much better!
I think our communication is the same way. In this case, the warm-up might be a simple hello, or maybe, how are you?
My muscle metaphor pertains to written communication in the workplace, specifically texts and emails.
No warm-up (no salutation, frame for the conversation, or indication of intent) = No bueno. The recipient of your message is like an uncooked noodle: Inflexible, unprepared, and might snap.
Warm-up (kindful salutation, frame for the conversation, or indication of intent) = Wow! The recipient is al dente and ready to respond.
No matter what channel of communication we use, when we "warm up" our audience, things are bound to go a bit smoother than if we skip the warm-up completely and launch into what we want. A we-orientation beats me-orientation every single time.
Here's what the warm-up of a communication workout looks like.
Text conversation:
When initiating a new text thread, say hello before conveying that thing that popped into your mind; you know, that idea that you felt an impulsive urge to type up and then had to immediately press send. You have no idea what the receiver of that text might be doing or feeling at the time they receive your abrupt communication. Before you text an out-of-the-blue command or query to a co-worker, telling them what you need from them, warm up the conversation with a greeting. It can make a big difference in how they interpret the rest of your text.
Check the tone of these texts:
"I need XYZ from you."
"Hi. I need XYZ from you."
"Hi! I'm checking in about XYZ. Can I get that by day's end?"
Please don't say that you're busy and that you don't have time to add an exclamation point or a couple of extra words. Each of those examples took me less than ten seconds to type-- and I am a lousy typist.
Email conversation:
If initiating a new email thread, warm up by setting the tone and intention, and think about adding some context.
Compare these two:
"Sam: We need to meet about project XYZ. Contact me ASAP."
vs.
"Hello Sam! Let's set up a meeting to discuss the XYZ project. Specifically:
- status update re: milestones and deadlines
- extra resources needed (if any)
Today's takeaway:
Don't skip the warm up!
Remember, a real, live person is at the end of your written communication. Business communication is not synonymous with impersonal messaging. Like a warm-up is to a workout, a couple of extra keystrokes can make the interaction so much smoother.
Image by Jan VaĊĦek from Pixabay