I have been a part of a number of organizations that wanted to “improve communication.” It was/is a very noble goal. There are studies that show the cost of ineffective or inefficient communications.
Here’s one.
And another one.
And…another one.
I’m sure there are others. And while the “fixes” for communication gaps are out there, organizations can struggle mightily to overcome the obstacles to effective communication. And I do mean mightily…
AVIATION COMMUNICATIONS – THE SECRET
As you read this, there is an airliner receiving the required information to fly from somewhere very near to somewhere far, far away in not that many words and in not that much time. It will sound something like this:
“United 515 is cleared to San Francisco via the JEFE7 departure, then as filed. Upon departure, climb and maintain 5,000. Expect Flight Level 200 ten minutes after departure. Departure frequency 118.1. Squawk 0327.”
Translated, the flight is cleared to depart the airport via a standard departure route (the “JEFE7”) and then on to its filed flight planned route (“as filed”). There are initial takeoff instructions, followed by expected climb instructions after takeoff. Finally, there is a radio frequency that the airplane will use after takeoff and the transponder code it will use (the “Squawk”) to be discretely identified on radar. This format is more or less then same for international flights also.
But there is also an extremely simple format for almost any type of aviation communication. The format is this:
“1)You. 2)Me. 3) My location. 4) I want to do something.”
On the radio, it will sound like this:
“Tower, Cessna 11 Charlie Bravo, 10 (miles) west (of the airfield), inbound (for a) full stop (landing).” Everything in parentheses is unsaid but understood by air traffic control and other aviators. So what’s the secret here?
First, communications are standardized among all aviators, airline pilots down to student pilots. This provides a common language and mutual understanding. Second, brevity is essential (shout out to the second hour and beyond of a staff meeting…). Radio space is limited and cannot be overwhelmed by yammering. Flying into LA, New York, Chicago, and similar airspaces will cure any verbose tendencies. Finally, innuendo and ambiguity are not welcome. The nature of aviation requires a direct and pointed exchange of information.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
1. How does your organization communicate? Understanding the topography of an organization’s communication tendencies is essential to any effort to improve communication, include what things or which people are the obstacles to effective communication.
2. How do you personally communicate? Who are your trusted agents to give feedback on your communication style? Knowing this is just as essential. In aviation, post flight debriefs can still include how well communications went during the flight, even with all of these tools in place.
3. What effective processes and practices does your organization currently use to communicate? Even an effort to improve communication can still leverage things that have worked or are working now.
While aviation communication may not exactly translate to how you or your organization can communicate more effectively, there are some aspects to consider to overcome barriers and find efficiencies. In fact, try listening to air traffic live streams to see what all of this is about. There may be some small spot of inspiration for your communication aspirations.
More to follow…
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