The First Minute: How to Start Conversations That Get Results (Business Communication Skills Books Book 1)

by Chris Fenning

The filing audit example above could have become an ambush with a slight change to one key message. “Hi, Boss. We’ve completed the filing audit. There are only a couple of things you might want to know. First, nothing needs your attention; Joanna signed off on the report. Also, we’re borrowing some interns from legal to help us finish tidying. Can you check with Larry, the VP of Legal, to see if that’s OK?” The intent of this message was set as “things you might want to know,” but it finished with a request to ask Larry a question. After hearing the original intent, the recipient wouldn’t be expecting the request to talk to the VP of Legal. While this may be a small thing, no one likes surprise requests or actions. The conversation should have been framed as two topics, an update and a request for help. You may recognize these ambushes if you have ever thought “Wait, what?”