Don’t Pussyfoot Around
I, for one, really value straightforwardness and honesty, and want others to be clear and direct in expressing their thoughts and opinions. As Machiavelli said, “Declare.” Yesterday while reading the awesome novel, What Never Happened: A Thriller, by Rachel Howzell Hall I came across a line that reminded me of this. The main character of the book, Colette “Coco” Weber, said, “I hate anonymity. Say what you mean. Don’t pussyfoot around.” She was expressing her frustration with people being evasive or indirect in their communication. At that moment in the book, Coco was frustrated with her aunt Gwen beating around the bush and using vague language instead of being upfront. This was a great reminder that when communicating, we need to ensure that our message is clear and to the point. Also, don’t forget that using jargon or ambiguous language can lead to misunderstandings.
In our leadership roles, we need to clearly communicate our expectations for communication within teams, groups, or the entire organization. We need to model and create an environment where everyone can be and is expected to be direct and honest in their communication and emphasize the importance of avoiding misunderstandings.
Byron's Babbles 
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