Holtz vs. Larkin…Round 4
The boxing reference to an ongoing debate between veteran communication consultants Shel Holtz, ABC, and T.J. Larkin seems appropriate on the surface.
Both have expressed differing views on the importance and effectiveness of supervisors and CEOs in the company communication channel–particularly when news of major change needs to be disseminated and accepted. The first round occurred shortly after Larkin’s June 28 address during the IABC International Conference. Holtz strongly disagreed with Larkin’s major premises and questioned his research conclusions in a lengthy post. Round three occurred when Larkin sent his own lengthy response in response to Holtz’s comments republished in an email newsletter distributed by Lawrence Ragan Communications, Inc.
My thanks to Judy Gombita for alerting me to two new Ragan online articles that provide additional insights into the main issues at the core of the Holtz/Larkin commentaries. One article, dated next Monday, Aug. 29, is titled, “When Larkin talks about supervisory communication, what is he actually talking about?” The second is titled, Face to face, with reality which asks the following question:
TJ and Sandar Larkin have dined out for 20 years on their theory that supervisors are the key to employee communication. But are they right?
At the beginning of this post, I stated that the boxing metaphor seems appropriate on the surface. But as the discussion continues–among Holtz, Larkin and everyone else–the truly appropriate thing to do is to focus on the issues, NOT the personalities. We all should consider how the questions raised by this discussion can help us to be better communicators. We shouldn’t make this a battle of personalities.
As I’ve sifted through the many points raised by Holtz and Larkin, I’ve found places to agree, and disagree, with both of them. I’ve also sensed that they have occasionally missed the meaning of a point made by the other. It’s like I learned in marital counseling once (don’t ask for details), sometimes two people can become polarized to the point where they don’t really hear what the other person is saying.
This discussion is too valuable for any of us to need a mediator to keep moving it forward in a positive direction. So please read the Ragan articles and post your thoughts. Just leave the boxing gloves off while you type.
Tom Keefe, ABC
January 2nd, 2006 at 9:40 am
[...] Conference, the many counterpoints published by Shel Holtz on his blog (referenced in this earlier Cafe post), and various other related material garnered from the [...]