In the third session of what I learned from the DC photographer, he told us that when we look through the camera, our brain edits out the stuff we aren't concentrating on. Then, when we get the picture developed, we find something in the frame that alters the art of the picture.
In this picture of the Korea Memorial, the 38th Parallel, I was concentrating on the haunted look in the soldier's eye and totally missed the honking big green bus in the background. For me, it ruined the feeling I was trying to capture in the picture.
Now think of your business communications. When you have an important message to communicate, make sure you look at it from all angles to ensure there isn't a pesky detail that might alter the tone of your message.
Example: in my previous company we would frequently receive information in our paycheck envelopes. One such message was printed on PINK PAPER. Talk about receiving a "pink slip." My colleagues and I had a hard time getting past the color of the paper to see what the message was.
Another example is the timing of your message. Are you sending out a sensitive message to arrive on a Friday? From the reader's perspective, they will now have to wait the entire weekend to call with questions or for clarification thereby increasing their emotional response.
I'd recommend having someone proofread your message prior to sending to ensure that you haven't missed a detail.
One final story on that subject. In my past company, the president would frequently hold open-door meetings and invite all associates to come and ask company questions. My department would create a flyer announcing the details of the meeting and post them around the building. One such poster was supposed to say "A Message From the President."
Luckily, we proof read everything we sent in our department, and found that the flyer actually read: "A Massage From the President."
Changes the tone of the message a little bit, doesn't it???
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