Inspiring Communication as a Leader

JFK used words effectively to reframe mindsets to great effect.

D. Brown Management Profile Picture
Share

There are multiple lessons in here that all leaders can use to inspire, improve engagement and attract talent to focus on a cause.

Quote: And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what you country can do for you - ask what you can do for you country. John F. Kennedy.

Excerpt from Speech

  • Framed where we have been and how far we have come in a time span that most people can relate to condensing the history of mankind’s recorded history down to 50 years.
  • Forced people to look internally for their locus of control by asking them what they could do for the country. This is what Marshall Goldsmith describes in his book Triggers and 6 Daily Questions that improve engagement. 
  • Repeated himself over and over.  In just the short clip “We choose to go to the moon” as repeated 3X.  Messages aren’t often heard or understood until they are out there 10+ times presented in different ways.  Great leaders repeat themselves constantly.  
  • Set out what elements of the vision he could in crystal clarity including very specific details of what “Mission Accomplished” would look like.  
  • Stated clearly that both the goal of the moon and “other things” would all get accomplished.  Having major goals or improvement initiatives does not mean regular business doesn’t get done.
  • Promoted the fact that it was hard and that was good thing.  People thrive with the right levels of stress and the accomplishments that come from hard work provide long lasting joy in people.  

What can you take away from this for your next communication with your team?




Strategy, Planning, and Execution Models
There are many models and tools to help businesses make strategic decisions, develop a plan, and execute. All have strengths and there are many similarities in the underlying principles as well as their origins. None are perfect. How to choose and use...
3 Critical Buckets for Life and Construction
The best advice for life, building projects, building careers, and building construction businesses boils down to three buckets.
Build Your Most Valuable Asset
There are five main value levers that contractors can pull to truly increase the value of the business as measured in long-term return on capital and valuation during a succession.