Want to “have a seat at the table” or better yet, be in position to influence your organization from a communication perspective? Be honest and candid with your boss, about the things your organization can do better and about the things you can do better.
I worked at the Army’s special operations school. This was either the first or second time I briefed the news as a new PAO to my organization. I changed the way we briefed to make it more interesting and relevant.
After briefing the boss said, “This morning, on NPR, I heard about the Marine Corps basic training graduation at Camp Lejeune. It seems like every time they have a graduation, it’s in the news. Why can’t we do that?” Our commander was known to be rough on the staff. This was supposed to be the moment when the new guy was going to tap dance for the crowd.
“We can, we’re just not that good yet.”
There was a long silence in the room. The general laughed and I sat down ready to listen to the next briefer.
Courtesy Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers SouthAtlantic Division
