Message Not Received: Why Business Communication Is Broken and How to Fix It

CodaWas This Message Received?

Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

—Warren Buffett

Now that you’ve reached the end of this book, it’s fair to ask a simple, five-word question: Has my message been received?

This book has showed how people routinely use—and often misuse—language and technology at work. It has demonstrated how intelligent professionals and organizations are adopting simpler language, new technologies, and plain old common sense in an effort to do something that is more important than ever: communicate effectively.

I hope that Message Not Received has taught you a thing or two about why so much contemporary business communication ultimately fails—and the consequences of those failures. If I have done my job, you are now thinking about business communications at least a little bit differently. You might now even be a little self-conscious or uncomfortable about your own messages. This isn’t a bad thing. Armed with this valuable new knowledge, the ball is now in your court.

You may be able to change your own communication style, but what about the styles of those around you? In many organizations, communication leaves more than a bit to be desired. If that statement applies to your current station at work, you have three choices:

• Option A: Do nothing

  You can ignore this book and its central premise. You can dismiss or discount its accompanying data, advice, examples, and case studies. You can revert to business as ...