top of page
Writer's pictureChristian J. Farber

Let Your Soul Shine!

It’s better than sunshine, better than moonshine and damn sure better than rain.


For those of you in my demographic, you will remember these words from the song “Soulshine” by the Allman Brothers that has been around a while but still rings true today.


When I made the tough decision and left a great company earlier in my career, I gave a farewell speech to my staff and anyone else who was interested and finished with these words.  Not a likely way to end your tenure, or a speech, but that was ok. The people there were familiar with how I communicated. We weren’t talking about a complex business issue, it was, “Thanks and goodbye’” and so it needed some personality.


Communication is key in business. How you communicate and respond to others communicating with you goes a long way toward ensuring success. There is a book and process for business communication called The Minto Pyramid Principal, written by Barbara Minto that can show you the way through her “situation, complication and recommendation” process. A colleague of mine introduced me to this method of communication and for us it worked quite well. Primarily used in preparing documents and presentations, it was useful for us in how we spoke to one another.



Situation: Describe the current state, often times you are telling someone something that they already know. You are setting the stage.


Complication: Introduce what has changed or what is new that has caused the problem, conflict or change.

Recommendation: Lay out what you propose to do and why. You can also provide the expected results from your resolution once implemented.


On another side of business there is the effort, passion and “you” part of the whole experience that can set you apart as an individual contributor, manager or executive leader in your organization. My executive counterparts and staff at that firm knew I was passionate about my work and the relationships I had developed through work. For example, on the first anniversary after the tragic events of 9/11, which had hit our company and community so hard, I was in a management meeting. On the anniversary of the falling of the first tower I broke in and said, “It was a year ago today that the World Trade Center fell and on this day of remembrance and reflection, I couldn’t imagine being associated with a better group of people”. I meant what I had said. I was expressing my “off topic” opinion and trying to communicate something to my colleagues. My point was to convey to my coworkers that I enjoyed, respected and valued their relationships. I was communicating with them in a non-Minto Pyramid Principal way because I had actually shown my emotions and soul to my colleagues. I doubt whether that happens as often as it should because people are often afraid of showing who they truly are and expressing their thoughts.


We live in complicated times. At work people are busy and don’t have time to hear a lot of off-topic information. In fact, we are often so busy that we need a process for communication that is quick, efficient and simple; particularly for complex problems, issues or opportunities. At the end of the day, it is about balance. A balance of what and how you communicate. Choosing the right situations to communicate effectively is as much an art as a science. Sometimes we Minto, sometimes we don’t. And, yes, I am suggesting that every once in a while you bend the rules and show your heart and soul. We have both of them for a reason and I don’t think it is good to keep them hidden.


My best, Chris



1 view0 comments

Related Posts

See All

Comments


About Chris

Christian J. Farber

After a thriving corporate career, Chris now enjoys retirement at the Jersey Shore. As a prostate cancer survivor, he's committed to educating men about the disease and covers various topics like Alcoholism, Multiple Sclerosis, and Career Success in his featured writing on platforms such as The Good Men Project, Huffington Post, and Thrive Global.

Keep Your Friends
Close & My Posts Closer.

Choose the topics you are interested in

Thanks for submitting!

Posts Archive

bottom of page