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FROM THE DESK
Thoughts on Focused Communication
Dave Bones, DTM - Club Growth Director
I will bet you would agree how useful email point. What I suggest is that once the conflict or
can be in communication. It allows us to send issue is resolved, then one person can update the
messages 24/7, regardless of the time or time rest of the group within the cc'd email thread
zones. It is convenient in being able to reach as appropriate.
multiple recipients. But, how about when there A Toastmasters example could be recruiting
is a sensitive topic? Anybody else out there for your Area Contest by including 20 members
notice this to be less effective for maintaining as cc'd within the email message thread. It might
harmony and clarity? be like this fictional dialog.
Certainly, having been lost in a quagmire
within an email thread, cc'd (copied) to many "Hello Toastmasters, I need to fill roles for one
participants, I have been painfully aware that ballot counter, two judges, and one timer. The contest
I was misunderstood, and everything was as is on Wednesday, February 22nd at 7 PM Pacific,
“clear as mud.” Have you been there before? I please arrive 60 minutes early. Please let me know
can see you nodding, yes. if you are available. I am happy to reciprocate for
One-on-one communication can be much your contest. Thanks! Dave Bones."
more effective in those more complicated
scenarios. As suggested in this article's title, it Here is the reply, which is cc'd to all 20
allows talking about what is important—not the recipients: "Dave, yes, I can fill any one of your roles,
unfocused or unrelated minutiae. but you should have given more notice!”
From an emotional perspective, it allows
for talking about values, needs, and feelings The person replying to my role requests
if there is a conflict that relates to any or all of reacted defensively and without much tact. Have
these. Since this is more personal, a cc'd email you ever then sent a “reply all” with an email
thread is not conducive. like this? I have made this mistake, and it has
You might be saying, “But, what about never gone well. Whether you try to deescalate,
keeping everyone in the loop?” This is a valid or to try to “correct” the person's behavior, the
16 ONE COMMUNITY
