Communication is a fundamental part of decision-making.
Corporate managers work in a very competitive environment, having to make decisions around the clock with no guarantees. In order for them to make the right decisions, they need to build a status report with maximum information in minimum time. Communication is key for obtaining all the necessary information.
To get my initial status report, I ask questions to get the answers I need. Based on this I make my first decision as a Commander- do I go or do I stay? Do I send my rescue unit out to the desert in the middle of the freezing cold night with warnings of flash floods lingering? Any decision I make has different risks and implications. The first one that comes to mind, is how this risk is going to affect my rescue team.
A crucial factor in obtaining a status report is your communication with the people you are working with.
Key communication factors are:
- Know your audience and adapt accordingly
- Show compassion and empathy (remember a time when you were in a situation that you needed help)
- Encourage, praise, show understanding and never pass judgement
- Ask open questions
- Keep all communication channels open
With my 25 years of experience, leading over 1,500 rescues in Israel and all over the world, I realized the importance of communication. The right communication will help you obtain maximum information in minimal time. With this you are able to build your status report and make better decisions quicker.
It’s the middle of winter, late afternoon in the Arava, my phone rings.
A hiker has tripped and broken her leg while hiking in the Paras river. She needs help.
Nachtsha, one of the oldest members of a nearby kibbutz sends us an update: “While walking through our farm, a young girl tripped and broke her leg. Get here fast!”
I knew the status of the situation, made my decision, and sent my rescue team straight to the field. We located the patient, treated her, got her onto a stretcher and into an ambulance as soon as we could.
I was standing next to Nachtsha while my team was getting the patient into the ambulance. I looked over at the stretcher and saw our patient who looked like a lovely woman, in her 70s at least. I looked at Nachtsha and asked, “Is that the ‘young’ girl?”
Nachtsha looks at me and says, “Indeed it is, I was the first group of pioneer youths that came to the kibbutz. She only came much later; she came with the 3 rd group!”
