What’s more important: Message or Messenger?
Most people would answer, “Both!”
That answer would be INCORRECT.
Why?
The perception and interpretation of a message depends on HOW that message is delivered. For example, if I were trying to sell you on the idea of taking Omega-3 oil, I would design my delivery to be as mentally-digestible as possible. That takes skill. I wouldn’t just drop data on the coffee table and say, “Here ya go!”
Most people don’t think that skill in that area matters. They believe that, at the end of the day, the power of the message (if it’s a strong message) will make up for an inadequacies brought to the table by the messenger. If that were true, then everyone presenting the same data would be equally successful.
Is that how it is?
You can select any example you like – from any walk of life, and I guarantee you that – regardless of the power of the message, some people will “get it” and others will not.
The folks selling a product, service, technique, or a system BELIEVE that the absorption of their message will make up for the messenger’s deficiencies. But that’s just not true, and I could give you hundreds of examples where a great message fell to the ground because of a less-than-effective messenger.
If you are having difficulty with your message (with your spouse, your kids, your customers, clients, or patients), then there’s a better-than-good chance that it’s the messenger. The messenger has to be modified – and has to be modified in a way that typically makes the messenger VERY uncomfortable.
I deal with a lot of folks who are lousy messengers. Naturally, they are the last to admit it. If they do admit it, they do so in a way that suggests that they have accepted themselves for who they are. To be quite frank, nothing makes me more sick to my stomach than someone who has accepted “personal dysfunction.” Sure – it’s comforting to look in the mirror and say, “I’m _____ – and that’s just the way it is!” That makes it easy to do less and be less. That’s all fine and well until you start to get frustrated with circumstances (i.e. “People just don’t get it!” or “Those kids just don’t listen” or “It’s the economy…always the economy”).
If you’re smart (streetwise smart) – and I’m NOT suggesting you are, then you will always seek out the messenger as being deficient before blaming the message. That’s not how most people work.
It’s human nature to avoid accepting fault, and yet – when you DO accept fault, you are 20% on your way to being outrageously successful in all areas of life.
I have friends and clients in all areas of complementary medicine. They go to technique extravaganzas, listen to lecturers, and purchase lots of equipment. Compared to what I consider to be successful, they are not even on the first rung of the ladder. It’s true. The technique folks believe that they have a package of goods that will make their practitioners successful – and yet, many of their practitioners are not making what they’re worth. Why? Because the folks who created the message believe that the data is more valuable than the deliverer.
If the technique people were smart, they would mandate that their practitioners (the messengers) get their heads on straight FIRST, and then come to their events and focus on the message. Same goes for sales people…and teachers…and anyone else who is trying to “SELL” a message. But that’s not how it works. That solution makes far too much sense for close-minded, self-limiting individuals.
The people who value the message more than the messenger, are always the folks who are selling the message. And those are folks who are sailing on a slowly sinking ship.
Note: There will be no post until
Tuesday, September 7, 2010.
Have A GREAT Weekend!
…Dr. Marc