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Principles for Communicative Discipline

Hold your communication to a higher standard.

Jerry Silfwer
by Jerry Silfwer

Cover photo: @jerrysilfwer

tl:dr;
Clarity, directness, conciseness, solvability, swiftness, engagement, consistency, and plainness are key principles to adhere to for communicative leaders.
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Table of contents

Here are my prin­ciples for com­mu­nic­at­ive discipline.

Communication is import­ant. For organ­isa­tions, com­mu­nic­a­tion is crit­ic­al for long-term sur­viv­al. The prac­tice should be taken seriously.

Therefore, as a pub­lic rela­tions adviser, I adhere to prin­ciples to uphold com­mu­nic­at­ive discipline.

Here we go:

Communicative Discipline

For cor­por­ate com­mu­nic­a­tions in gen­er­al, and com­mu­nic­at­ive lead­er­ship in par­tic­u­lar, I recom­mend a dir­ect approach to intraper­son­al communication:

As a PR advisor, I refer to these prin­ciples as com­mu­nic­at­ive dis­cip­line. 1Silfwer, J. (2023, December 24). Parkinson’s Law & The Law of Triviality (Bike Shed Effect). Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​p​a​r​k​i​n​s​o​n​s​-​l​aw/

  • Rationalise and sim­pli­fy — nev­er let trivi­al tasks or top­ics become com­plic­ated or emotional.
  • Prioritise uncom­fort­able dis­cus­sions and tackle com­plex and sens­it­ive mat­ters head-on. 
  • Promote a con­cise com­mu­nic­a­tion cul­ture and debunk rumours and gos­sip straight away.
  • Always ask for recom­men­ded solu­tions when someone presents you with a problem.
  • Reward reach­ing decisions, con­clu­sions, or con­sensus before actu­al deadlines.
  • Listen respect­fully to under­stand and com­mu­nic­ate with the abso­lute expect­a­tion of being respected.
  • Be fair and con­sist­ent by dis­trib­ut­ing recog­ni­tion, rewards, and feed­back at sep­ar­ate ses­sions. 2Silfwer, J. (2023, December 30). Split Sessions: Recognition, Rewards, and Feedback. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​s​p​l​i​t​-​s​e​s​s​i​o​ns/
  • Speak (and write) plainly and com­bat cor­por­ate jar­gon, plat­it­udes, and banter. 3Silfwer, J. (2020, May 23). Corporate Cringe. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​c​o​r​p​o​r​a​t​e​-​c​r​i​n​ge/ 4Silfwer, J. (2015, October 9). The Platitude Sickness: The Trash of Corporate Writing. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​p​l​a​t​i​t​u​d​e​-​s​i​c​k​n​e​ss/

Learn more: Principles for Communicative Discipline

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Thank you. Please sup­port my blog by shar­ing art­icles with oth­er com­mu­nic­a­tions- and mar­ket­ing pro­fes­sion­als. Please also con­sider my PR ser­vices or speak­ing engage­ments.

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ANNOTATIONS
ANNOTATIONS
1 Silfwer, J. (2023, December 24). Parkinson’s Law & The Law of Triviality (Bike Shed Effect). Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​p​a​r​k​i​n​s​o​n​s​-​l​aw/
2 Silfwer, J. (2023, December 30). Split Sessions: Recognition, Rewards, and Feedback. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​s​p​l​i​t​-​s​e​s​s​i​o​ns/
3 Silfwer, J. (2020, May 23). Corporate Cringe. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​c​o​r​p​o​r​a​t​e​-​c​r​i​n​ge/
4 Silfwer, J. (2015, October 9). The Platitude Sickness: The Trash of Corporate Writing. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​p​l​a​t​i​t​u​d​e​-​s​i​c​k​n​e​ss/
Jerry Silfwer
Jerry Silfwerhttps://doctorspin.net/
Jerry Silfwer, alias Doctor Spin, is an awarded senior adviser specialising in public relations and digital strategy. Currently CEO at Spin Factory and KIX Communication Index. Before that, he worked at Kaufmann, Whispr Group, Springtime PR, and Spotlight PR. Based in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Cover Photo

The cover photo isn't related to public relations obviously; it's just a photo of mine. Think of it as a 'decorative diversion', a subtle reminder that it's good to have hobbies outside work.

The cover photo has

A small yellow tower building in a foggy and dark green forest.
A small yellow tower building in a foggy and dark green forest.

.

Shareable:
Hold your communication to a higher standard.
Shareable:
Speak (and write) plainly and combat the use of corporate jargon, platitudes, and banter.
Shareable:
Be fair and consistent by distributing recognition, rewards, and feedback at separate sessions.
Shareable:
Listen respectfully to understand and communicate with the absolute expectation of being respected.
Shareable:
Rationalise and simplify — never let trivial tasks or topics become complicated or emotional.
Shareable:
Prioritise uncomfortable discussions and tackle complex and sensitive matters head-on.
Shareable:
Promote a concise communication culture and debunk rumours and gossip straight away.
Shareable:
Always ask for recommended solutions when someone presents you with a problem.
Shareable:
Reward reaching decisions, conclusions, or consensus before actual deadlines.

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