We have a big mission coming up which will involve new operations in a new country. In the operations briefs, I was listening because:
1. The public will need to understand what we’re doing, what will be my public plan?
2. Something will go wrong, I need all commanders, subordinate, higher and adjacent public affairs officers to know how we are going to communicate these issues.
The organization is going through a change. In the discussions, I was listening because:
1. The members of our organization will need to understand and accept the change to support it, how can I ensure people know about this before it affects them.
2. This change may bring us some public scrutiny, should we proactively communicate it or keep it under wraps, I need to think through this.
You may be the only one listening for this kind of thing in your organization. Get to a place where you can hear best.
Understand the communication environment so you know what to listen for.
Understand your organization and stay focused on what our country needs you to do.
Listen.
Now go and do likewise.
Photo by Sgt. Nicholas Brown-Bell
