RUBBER BAND COMMUNICATION

Rubber bands come in all shapes and sizes, so how do pick the right one or change the one you picked.  Challenges or projects come in a variety pack where a standard solution may not be the answer. 

Lack of Elasticity

There are instances when nobody says anything, and everyone is trying avoid conflict. Maintaining the status quo seems perfect because nothing appears to be broken. In such cases, it’s like taking that rubber band and stashing it in a desk drawer alongside other untouched topics. This situation often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. Examples of such scenarios include companies sinking into debt, firms failing to embrace technology and becoming vulnerable to extinction (think Kodak and Blockbuster), or neglecting discussions about growth strategies to remain relevant in their industries.  Tough conversations require a little elasticity.

Elasticity of Your Point

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’re doing everything possible to convey your point? It’s like stretching a rubber band to its limits, and when you finally let go, it snaps, potentially hurting yourself or the other person, or miraculously, in some cases they see your point. It’s fascinating how those dynamic plays out. 

So, what’s the best approach in such situations? Do you persistently hammer your point until you have to let go, or do you give in early? The answer lies somewhere in between. If your point isn’t getting through, it’s time to assess the situation. Is it both important and urgent? If the answer is yes, it’s time to consider a different approach, a new narrative, or a creative way to convey your point, project, or concept for acceptance.  The true secret sauce that always works for me is ask the right question because sometimes the question is more important the answer!

If your point is important but not urgent then it may be a good idea to bring it up later when the time is right.  On the other hand, if your point is urgent but, not important , it might be useful to try my secret sauce ask the right question to create the urgency. If it is neither falls important nor urgent, it’s best to let go and save your energy for more meaningful battles.

No Elasticity

When communication breaks down and there is no elasticity left and the rubber band has lost it’s hold it’s time to get a new one.  New fresh outlook with a new person to handle the discussion (a speaker, consultant, bring a different department to weight in, etc.), or go back to square one and rethink the challenge from a creative perspective (out of your head thinking), or take a break and come back to it later. To tackle a challenge or a project remember it’s a process, honour that, embrace it, have opened ended discussions because the end result is far more enjoyable than living in your head.

Broken Elasticity

Back when I used to use rubber bands, I remember there were times they would break at first use, faulty perhaps.  Conversations can be faulty right from the get-go, especially when someone comes in guns blazing, going right for the jugular.  This is a non-starter for some and lights a fire for others; however, at some point this is not a sustainable way of communicating. 

Elasticity

Maintaining the elasticity of communication shows meaningful conversations that results in direction and help formulate a plan. This encourages to ask curious questions and showing genuineness of your colleague’s input.  Through these discussions you can feel the rubber band expanding and contracting until it fits perfectly over the course of action and the project is completed and as the rubber band waits for new course of action.

The key to effective communication is understanding when to stretch, release, or keep the rubber band in the drawer, and making these decisions based on the importance and urgency of the matter at hand. Picking the right elasticity depends on whether you have an open mind to ask the right questions, adjust the elasticity and sometimes you may have to let it go.  It’s vital for personal and professional success to master the art of Rubber Band Communication.