4. Red, Amber or Green

Distribution is controlled. Understanding isn't.

A company sends an urgent operational update to teams across several countries.

The message is written in English and distributed to all managers.

You discover that:

Everyone receives the same written update.

Local managers explain it to their teams in their own words.

No deadline is given for confirming understanding.

Teams are assumed to understand unless they raise a problem.

How would you rate this communication control?

GREEN — Well controlled

AMBER — Some weaknesses

RED — Significant communication risk

Choose your rating before reading on.

ANSWER: RED

Distribution is controlled. Understanding isn't.

Managers can reinterpret the message, urgency may shift, and there is no confirmation that the final recipients understood what they need to do.

Sending the message is not the same as controlling the communication.

How would your organisation score?

The MC3 Method Toolkit includes audit checklists to help you identify communication-control weaknesses before they become business problems.

Download the toolkit at www.mc3method.com