Former White House spokesman Tony Snow succumbed last weekend to colon cancer, but his legacy of effective interpersonal interactions lives on, says Kris Dunn.
Dunn says Snow inspired four lessons that can help people improve their professional approaches.
1. Be willing to put your money where your mouth is. Don’t complain about a bad situation unless, like Snow, you’re willing to jump in and fix it — even if it’s really messy.
2. Stay likeable and take the high road. People cut him slack because he was upbeat and positive, says Dunn, and “That’s an edge any of us could use.”
3. Defend without taking it personally. Understand that in your position as a leader, you’re going to take flak. It’s not you; it’s the job. Respond appropriately.
4. Say “I don’t know.” Admitting ignorance and avoiding “buzzword land” builds trust, respect and authenticity. (Just don’t say “I don’t know” to every question.)
It occurs to me that these four approaches will work equally well in a personal situation as well as a professional one. Give them a try. And thanks, Tony, for leaping into the fray and bringing some journalistic class to a thankless job.
(image courtesy the White House)
