Is Good Enough Good Enough?

Successful communication can be likened to a flowing and seamless dance sequence; choreographed steps and unified direction defines the movement. As lawyers, you want to clearly execute your messages and ensure that they are strategically delivered, thus enabling your listeners to hear and act upon their words. When a communication falls below expected results, your listener is left feeling unsatisfied and either wanting more information, or desiring a completely differing result. In dancing, it would be equivalent to you resorting to the same “one-two-three-one-two-three” sequence, regardless of the tempo, music being played or dance skills of your partner. If you continue to stick to these basic steps, your dance partner will get very irritated by your “it'fs good enough” position and will be uncertain as to how to proceed or anticipate your direction. Frustration will quickly lead to disinterest and boredom. Your dance partner will walk off the dance floor alone and will search for a new partner. Similarly in the legal workplace, having the wrong moves will thwart your effectiveness as a successful practitioner, client manager and business generator.