Data presentation....2

Continuing with the query posed at the end of last week' post, at the most basic level, there are two options available :

1. Bar Chart
2. Line Graph

A Bar Chart created with the help of tools available in Excel, will look like

A Line Graph will look like :

Which one of the two above conveys the message better ?

In my view, it is the Line Graph, as it shows a "trend" of the three stocks over a periof of twelve months.

The Bar Chart is more colourfl and can coney the same message, but one has to look a lot more closely.

The idea of pictorial representation should be to convey the message at one glance.

Any other ways of conveying the message at one glance ?

Data Presentation

The table provides notional stock value movemets over a year of three companies.

Note : These are not the actual movements ad hece should not be taken as performance of companies whosenames hav been used. These numbers have been populated purely for the purpose of conceptual understanding of Chart types.

Date	Tata Motors	Unitech	ITC
01-Jan-11	60	76	190
01-Feb-11	70	70	200
01-Mar-11	80	65	202
01-Apr-11	90	65	202
01-May-11	120	56	190
01-Jun-11	110	41	176
01-Jul-11	150	32	176
01-Aug-11	170	19	180
01-Sep-11	200	18	199
01-Oct-11	200	20	210
01-Nov-11	200	25	220
01-Dec-11	230	32	230

If you were asked to represent the movement pictorially (graphically) how would you go about doing it ?

The Communication Barrier...2

Continuing from the last post, the message could very easily have been fixed by changing "you have miles to go" to "you will go miles". Though one could debate whether "you will go miles" is correct language, the point being made is, are we able to communicate the right message even with language that may not be pefect ? If yes, then the communicaion has served its purpose.

The email should have been

Quote

Hi R / A,

The whole ICC team is proud of you both.

Though the report was new to both of you, still you managed to meet the timelines. Thanks for your efforts you have put in today. You will go miles.

Keep up the good and hard work.

Unquote

Of course, as language skills improve, the communication can get finer and finer.

Here is another example of poor communication that results in making the boss a villain.

This is a Messenger chat between the Business Head and a Manager, on a day when the Senior Manager, who is in between the Business Head and the Manager, is on leave.

Quote

Business Head : I hear you are "in charge" today

Manager : hahah I am trying to cover up for Seema

Unquote

In one fell swoop, the Manager, by saying that he is “trying to cover up for Seema” has made Seema, his boss, a criminal by making it sound as if she has done something he need to “cover up” for.

What should he have written ?

Quote

Business Head : I hear you are "in charge" today

Manager : hahah I am trying to cover up for Seema

Unquote

What seems to be the problem ?

The Manager is either challenged in the language he is communicating in, or has not taken adequate pains to read through a message he intends sending. Of course he could also be taking the opportunity to bad mouth his boss to his boss’ boss and ingratiate himself, but for the present we will discount that possibility.

Challenge with the language can be fixed, but it is normally a gradual process and the individual needs to take charge of the process.

Wilful bad-mouthing of his boss cannot be fixed through any intervention, unless it is through a forced holiday from work in a penitentiary.

Taking pains with a written message is a skill that can be taught (and learnt) through a structured programme and increased consciousness of the damage an incorrect message can cause.

The Communication Barrier

For a large number of people to work towards a common objective of organisational success, communication becomes a key facilitator. It is important for leaders to be able to communicate expectations and guidance in clear and unambiguous terms and for the led to be able to receive them in the manner intended by the communicator.

This most basic of tools, used by human beings in non-business situations as well, is often responsible for creating situations when not used correctly.

The folowing is an example of a communication that ended up conveying a message opposite to what was intended :

Quote

Hi R / A,

The whole ICC team is proud of you both.

Though the report was new to both of you, still you managed to meet the timelines. Thanks for your efforts you have put in today. You still have miles to go.

Keep up the good and hard work

Unquote

What appears to be the intention of the person sending the email ?

Praise R and A, two of his team-members, who have done a good job with a report even though it was new to them.

What does his email convey ?

That though it is commendable they met the timelines with a new report, they “still have miles to go”, i.e. they need to do a lot more before they can consider themselves to be good employees.

How would you have written this email if the intention was to convey praise ?

Conclusion

Young leaders need to work on ensuring that their communications skills in general, and language skills in particular, are polished to the extent required by their line of work. And, once polished, continue to ensure, through regular practice, that it stays polished.