Communicating a Message

Never underestimate the value of communicating a message.  WE are the chief communicator of that message.  It is solely ours to deliver, no one else possesses the capability. 

Communicating A Message

A key aspect of building a community is the ability to communicate a message.  Acworth has seen tremendous growth and prosperity over my twenty-five years of service.  Our Chief communicator over those years, Mayor Tommy Allegood. 

Prior to that time frame, we didn’t’ have much of a story to tell.  Our downtown was dead, a key tourism asset in Lake Acworth was closed due to pollution, we lacked recreation opportunities, and we had a police force that was subpar.  We were not a desirable place to live, work, or play.    

Fast forward to today, our downtown is revitalized, Lake Acworth is a paddle sports destination, we have an abundance of recreation opportunities, and a professional police department.  People desire to live, work, and play here. 

A big piece of that puzzle is the Mayor’s ability to communicate a very important message…our story.  Here are four things I have learned from him about communicating a message:

Believe It When You Say It

A significant turning point in our city’s journey took place in 2001.  We were hosting a Cobb County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast at Cauble Park, located on Lake Acworth.  We didn’t have a facility large enough to accommodate the event, so we set up a tent in the middle of the park. 

The Mayor was coming off a critical conversation in his journey with our city planner where he was introduced to the concept of “Quality of Life.”   The conversation taught him that there are six key components that define quality of life in a community.  He wanted to communicate a message on how those six things existed in the City of Acworth.

We were extremely limited in resources as a city at the time.  So, he called on a nineteen-year-old parks maintenance worker, me, to help him put together a “brochure” that helped tell the story.  That fateful morning, he started his storytelling journey.

Here was the problem…we didn’t yet have the quality of life that he desired to speak of.  He always says though, “If you believe it when you say it…it’s true!” 

He spoke it into existence that day.  He believed it, we believed it, the audience that day left believing it.  The message was delivered, the message received.    

Tell It To Anyone Willing to Listen

I have had the opportunity to set up for many of his presentations.  He has communicated our message to civic clubs, Chambers of Commerces, Business Associations, neighborhood groups, pastors groups, economic development prospects, and senior groups (he refers to as “Active Adults.”).  If they have a willingness to listen, he will communicate. 

There is a key word embedded there…willingness.  When communicating a message, go to the willing.  Those willing to hear the message.  The ones that desire to be informed, who will listen with an open mind.

Celebrate Success

He believes in celebrating success.  It’s a key part of his messages.  Anything worth celebrating, gets celebrated in his messages.  No one walks away feeling like they aren’t part of the celebration. 

There are always things worth celebrating.  It’s just finding the opportunities to do so.  It requires placing ourselves in a position, in front of an audience, to celebrate our team’s accomplishments.  Messages worth celebrating.    

Cast Vision

In his presentations, he casts the vision of where we are going.  Unless it is cause for celebration, the focus is forward.  It generates excitement and anticipation of what is to come.  He is always Articulating a Vision with every message. 

Vision is the ability to see further.  I have always subscribed to the simplicity of this definition.  Messages that help the audience see further creates buy in into that vision.  They want to board the bus and go on the journey with us.  Articulating a Vision is the responsibility of the leader. 

Tell It Frequently

Whenever, wherever…he tells it frequently.  Not just in presentations with large audiences, but in small groups.  He tells the story of our community over, and over…and over. 

I was once told that it takes nineteen times for a message to be heard before it sinks in.  It’s about the time that the recipient’s eyes roll that you know it has connected.  Great stories are worth telling, frequently and often. 

Conclusion

This past week, we had an opportunity to get back to our roots.  Pre-pandemic, we would often present to our senior living facilities.  Messages designed to tell our story to very special people in our community.  No filters, no third parties, just our message to them. 

As the Mayor delivered his message, I observed two more nuggets of value in delivering a message. 

One, love doing it.  He absolutely loves telling our story.  It breathed life into him as a leader. 

Two, care for those receiving the message.  Do it free of ulterior motives and out of genuine care for the recipient.  Make them feel included. Show them they matter, show them they are important, and show them they are worth your time to be there.  He cares in his messaging and it shows. 

The ability to communicate a message can define a leader.  Great leaders find opportunities to tell their story.  Make your life and leadership a message worth sharing.