DABS

The Importance of Effective Communication

Central to your success is clear communication. Don’t ever assume people understand your intentions. It is always worth keeping in mind this simple acronym – D A B S – Don’t Assume Be Sure!

In other words, check, check, and check again!

In the early 90’s, I worked in a small private hospital and held the position of Personal Assistant the Director of Nursing.  This was at a time of manual diaries as office computer systems were only just coming into the organization.  In order to maintain meticulous diary management practices, I was required to meet once a week with the Executive Assistant to the CEO to avoid any mismanagement of our executives’ time. On one occasion I had made an assumption about a particular appointment and of course (Murphy’s Law), it transpired that the assumption was incorrect. I raced down one of the very long hospital corridors (and may I say you never run anywhere in a hospital), to see the EA to resolve the problem I had created.

Who should be coming the other way, none other than the CEO.  As we passed each other he said DABS, with my response being a very meek ‘damn’ plus a wobbly smile.  The problem was duly fixed quickly with no real harm done, but was an excellent lesson to learn early in one’s career.

The CEO’s policy of DON’T ASSUME BE SURE has stuck with me throughout my many positions, and it is one that if adopted, will contribute to your own ongoing success.

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