CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
When I was a second lieutenant, I worked at a busy in-patient hospital and learned an important lesson from a patient who was a very successful general officer. I had been in the military all of three months and was working my fifth night of seven. Focused on taking care of my patients and ensuring all the tasks, assessments, medications and treatments were completed, I bellowed instructions to my support staff working with me. At least three times during the shift, we met to discuss progress or lack thereof. I remember like it was yesterday -- getting frustrated when I asked if a particular task had been completed to find it had not yet been done. Well, unbeknownst to me, a general, whose room was right outside the nurse's station, was watching and observing my interaction over the last five nights of my rotation.
On the fifth night, at the beginning of my shift, she said to me, "LT, can I speak with you when you have a moment?" I thought to myself, "I am in trouble," but for what? I thought we had met all her needs. After I organized my staff and determined what needed to be accomplished for that shift, I went to her room. I stood at the door and said, "Ma'am, you wanted to speak with me." She asked me to sit in the chair by her bed as she sat at the foot of the bed.
She looked me in the eye and said, "LT, I applaud your passion as a nurse and I can see you take your job very seriously." She then said, "However, I've been in the Air Force for 27 years and in leadership positions at a minimum for the last 10, I think I am in a position to give you a little advice if you'll listen. I'm sure you have heard the phrase I am about to tell you before, but hear me out."
Of course I said, "Sure, Ma'am." What else could I say; she was a general and I was a second lieutenant. She then said very simply, "It is all in the presentation". I said okay, but I really had not clue as to what she was talking about. I started to get up from the chair when she said, "No ... you're not listening." She then began to explain to me her observations on my interaction with my staff. She told me that by virtue of your position, rank or title people know you are the boss or you're responsible for an end result. How you present yourself in communicating the task can make a significant difference. A positive and confident attitude, being and looking professional yet approachable, showing respect for the individual's skill and the basic tenet of treating people how they would want to be treated goes a long way.
She began to share personal examples of how these basic principles had worked for her personally and professionally and how it led to her success. She then said, "Keep that in mind when you meet with your staff and see if you notice any difference."
Well, to make a long story short, the next night I thought about what she said and changed my approach. Instead of pointing out and assigning tasks I listed the tasks and asked them to work together and let me know who was going to do what and when they could provide me with the updates. And yes, it made a difference. My Airmen were coming to me with the information I usually sought them out to obtain. I couldn't believe it. They were on point for the next two nights.
So I am a believer, "It's all in the presentation." This phrase and its meaning stuck with me over the past 25 years since my incident with the general.
How many times have you been in situations where you interacted with someone and you didn't quite receive the message because of the way it was presented? It may not have been the actual idea, thought or act, but the way in which it was presented, or where it was presented, that made the difference. Was it you? Did you display body language that gave the individual the perception you were not open to their presentation, idea, thought or conversation?
We have all made a less than desirable impression at some point in our lives. It's always in hindsight that we reflect and realize we could have been a better communicator, receiver or just presented ourselves in a different manner. A slight change in the presentation could have a more positive impact on the entire situation. We are all a work in progress.
My challenge to you is to examine yourself to see if there are opportunities for improvement while reflecting on the phrase, "It's all in the presentation."