By Cindy J. Helms
IHS Executive Director
As I sat down to write this I had no substantive inspiration—just a notion that it would be appropriate to dedicate my first column to the importance of communication. As I was pondering a new and clever way to say what we all know and support…that communications between the members, the Board of Governors and the staff are critical to the successful future of the Society…President Cato serendipitously forwarded the following from the Internet.
A man feared his wife was not hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family doctor to discuss the problem. The doctor told him there is a simple test he could perform to give the doctor a better idea about her hearing loss.
“Here’s what you do,” said the doctor. “Stand about 40 feet away from her and speak in a normal conversational tone to see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet and so on until you get a response.”
That evening, the wife was in the kitchen cooking dinner while the husband was in the den. He said to himself, “I’m about 40 feet away. Let’s see what happens.” In a normal tone he asked, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” No response. So he moved closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife, and repeated, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Again, no response.
Next he moved into the dining room, about 20 feet from his wife, and asked, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Still no response. Then he walked to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. “Honey, what’s for dinner?” And, yet again, no response.
Finally, he walked right up behind her. “Honey, what’s for dinner?”
She whirled around and said, “Earl, for the FIFTH time, WE’RE HAVING CHICKEN!”
OK, I know it’s a real stretch to use this to demonstrate the importance of communication, but it was just too good to pass up.
So back to my original thought. Growing this organization’s ability to maximize the benefits of membership takes better communication. We need to not only hear each other, but actually listen. If we think of IHS as a collaborative work in progress, we can all work toward cultivating the enthusiastic exchange of ideas that will keep us moving in a direction that serves the profession to the fullest.
You have my personal guarantee that headquarters will be corresponding with you more frequently. Staff has launched a massive phone campaign to solicit email addresses for each and every one of you. That will make it easier and much more cost-effective to provide immediate reporting on what’s new and vital. We’re also putting the finishing touches on a completely redesigned and upgraded website for improved interaction with the membership. And to further ensure that the Society is meeting the members’ needs, we’ll be sending you periodic surveys. Finally, this column will be a platform for keeping you current on headquarters activities.
Remember, communication is a two-way transaction and we want to hear from you too. My staff and I welcome your input and invite you to share your thoughts at any time.
Ms. Helms can be reached at 734.522.7200 or by email at chelms@ihsinfo.org.
