One Shalt Remember These Words
In teaching a college-level class recently, my students and I were exposed to a great book by Laurie Beth Jones titled "Jesus, Entreprenuer." One component of the book stood out to me as a good one to blog about, as it proposed a new way to think about decision making.
This is referred to as the “SHALT” rule. It applies to our decision making and communications. SHALT is an acronym for Sad, Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. So, since this blog is about human communications, let me explain my take on this.
How many times have we said something we wish we would not have? How many instances have we written something that we later regret? How often have we acted in a manner in which we wished we could have a “do over?”
I know I have had these situations in my life and so have you. Why? We are human. So, the “SHALT” rule is one that can help us become better in our decision making and communications. If you are sad, it is better not to make a big decision because you are not thinking 100 percent. Instead, find a time when you are feeling better and then (with a clear head) make the decision. Second, many of us get quite grumpy when we are hungry. So, if you have not eaten, it is likely you will not be thinking clearly and may say or write something you may later regret. So, wait until that meal digests and then calmly express what you seek to communicate.
How about when we are angry? I know this is a big one for many of us. In the world of social media (online all the time) it is easy to fire off a tweet, Facebook post, text, or e-mail in a matter of seconds. You know the drill, when someone makes you mad—it is best to light into them right then and there. I am kidding. No, this is not the best thing to do. Like sadness, anger is simply an emotion that will settle itself in time, and you will thus be calmer and can be more objective in your communications. I can literally say, 90 percent of the time, that when I have ever written or said something “in the moment when angry” it has turned out to be something I have regretted as it did not come across the right way.
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- Business Management - Marketing/Sales
Ryan T. Sauers has spent nearly 30 years running, leading or consulting with printing, graphics, promotional and visual communications-related organizations. Sauers is CEO of two companies, Sauers Consulting Strategies LLC and End Resultz Inc. that among other things, owns magazines and is a media firm. Key areas of focus of the firms include sales training, marketing strategy, personal branding, leadership development and organizational change.
Sauers is a frequent national speaker and columnist. He has been recognized as one of the top 80 CMOs globally and achieved the top designation of Certified Marketing Executive through Sales and Marketing Executives International.
Sauers is an adjunct university professor teaching leadership and communication courses to current and aspiring leaders. He is a Certified Myers Briggs, DiSC and Emotional Intelligence Practitioner (one of few in the U.S. to achieve all three rigorous certifications related to human communications, personality and behavior).
Sauers has completed his doctoral-level coursework in Organizational Leadership and is now (ABD - All But Dissertation) working on his dissertation on why some entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve initial and long-term success, whereas countless others do not.
Sauers is the host of the Marketing Matters radio show in Atlanta that later becomes a global podcast. He also is the host of the Community Connections TV show that comes out in video and podcast form. Sauers is the author of the best-selling books, Everyone is in Sales, and Would You Buy from You? More info at RyanSauers.com or call (678) 825-2049 or email Ryan@RyanSauers.com
