Tortoise and the Hare

We all remember the lesson of the fable, The Tortoise and the Hare: "slow and steady wins the race." Communication is much like that - a long distance run rather than a sprint. One of the ingredients of effective communication is consistency of message. Establishing that only comes with time. It involves reiteration, giving explanation to, and building on core ideas and values. These things can not be done in one media event or one splashy moment. Do not get me wrong. I like splashy moments as much as the next guy. But, for me, unless that splashy moment is reinforced the next day or shortly afterward with complementary behavior and/or words, then that splashy moment is rendered hollow and meaningless.

When it comes to effective communication, one should also be wary of first impressions. Let us say we meet or hear someone and are immediately impressed. That is great. But if the next time we encounter this same person they are contradicting themselves in word or deed, then that first impression becomes suspect. There is an old saying in baseball circles that a player should not be judged by how they play in one game. Truer words have never been spoken, particularly as they apply to communication. No one hits a home run in every game they play. Nor do they commit three errors in every game either. But watch that same player on the field in, say, 10 to 12 games and you have a much more rounded and accurate perspective of their abilities. The same holds true for someone in what they say and do.

People who give great speeches are to be applauded. People who make good first impressions are to be envied. But what that person is like the next day or the day after in terms of their behavior and words? Whether it is in politics or our own day-to-day encounters with others, my advice is to look for the tortoise in that person rather than the hare.