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Storytelling
Storytelling has been shown to be an effective form of verbal communication;
it serves an important organizational function by helping to construct common
meanings for individuals within the organization. Stories can help clarify key values

and help demonstrate how things are done within an organization, and story
[1]
frequency, strength, and tone are related to higher organizational commitment. The
quality of the stories entrepreneurs tell is related to their ability to secure capital for
[2]
their firms. Stories can serve to reinforce and perpetuate an organization’s culture,
part of the organizing P-O-L-C function.
Crucial Conversations
While the process may be the same, high-stakes communications require more
planning, reflection, and skill than normal day-to-day interactions at work. Examples
of high-stakes communication events include asking for a raise or presenting a
business plan to a venture capitalist. In addition to these events, there are also many
times in our professional lives when we have crucial conversations—discussions
where not only the stakes are high but also where opinions vary and emotions run
[3]
strong. One of the most consistent recommendations from communications experts
is to work toward using “and” instead of “but” as you communicate under these
circumstances. In addition, be aware of your communication style and practice
flexibility; it is under stressful situations that communication styles can become the
most rigid.
Written Communication
In contrast to verbal communications, written business communications
are printed messages. Examples of written communications include memos,
proposals, e-mails, letters, training manuals, and operating policies. They may be
printed on paper, handwritten, or appear on the screen. Normally, a verbal
communication takes place in real time. Written communication, by contrast, can be
constructed over a longer period of time. Written communication is often
asynchronous (occurring at different times). That is, the Sender can write a Message
that the Receiver can read at any time, unlike a conversation that is carried on in real
time. A written communication can also be read by many people (such as all
employees in a department or all customers). It’s a “one-to-many” communication, as
opposed to a one-to-one verbal conversation. There are exceptions, of course: a
voicemail is an oral Message that is asynchronous. Conference calls and speeches are
oral one-to-many communications, and e-mails may have only one recipient or many.
Most jobs involve some degree of writing. According to the National
Commission on Writing, 67% of salaried employees in large American companies
and professional state employees have some writing responsibility. Half of
responding companies reported that they take writing into consideration when hiring
professional employees, and 91% always take writing into account when hiring (for
[4]
any position, not just professional-level ones).
Luckily, it is possible to learn to write clearly. Here are some tips on writing
well. Thomas Jefferson summed up the rules of writing well with this idea “Don’t use
two words when one will do.” One of the oldest myths in business is that writing
more will make us sound more important; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders who

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