NFL football coach, Jeff Fisher, is not “a real big text guy.”

So, when Tennessee Titan quarterback, Vince Young, used text for an apology following a conflict, he wasted his thumb time.

Different Strokes

The Titan coach had more to say about his quarterback’s attempt at reconciliation —

• The coach isn’t into the “new age” form of communication
• He doesn’t “twit” (thank goodness!) or tweet
• He felt the situation deserved a “face-to-face man thing”

Is this just a baby boomer – Gen Y disconnect?

Hidden Text

Whatever the reason behind the Titan drama, it isn’t the first time an intended communication backfired.

There are —

• Misrouted emails
• Meaning-changing typos
• Fall-flat jokes

Miscommunication happens, but what can we do to shortcut a solution?

Solution Shortcuts

Like people, communication comes in all shapes and sizes.

1. Matching people to communication is half the battle.

• Some prefer the short, quick text or tweet
• Others like the easily stored email
• While others are oral communicators – by phone or face-to-face

Do you know your client’s preferred form of communication?

Think about it.

If your client is a Jeff Fisher and hates “new age” communication, why would you text that client?

2. Knowing when to “man up” is the second half.

Despite our best efforts, occasionally, we mess up. We know we owe our client an apology, and that is never easy.

In my view, the coach is right.

We “man-up” and stop hiding behind the protective shield of technology. We pick up the phone or schedule a time to meet – or both.

A Titan-sized Tool

Social media and technology deliver great tools for communication.

Knowing how and when to use those tools is textbook communication.

How do you choose to communicate with your clients?

i-Stock Photo Credit

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