July 16, 2019
On The Tuesday Letter
“Why haven’t I heard about this?”
It is a question often asked in organizations. I would often ask it in my industry days, but that was in the days when corporate communication was much slower due to the pace of snail mail and dial up email. I would ask it in graduate school, although I do not know why I expected my academic department to keep graduate students abreast on the latest department news and business decisions. I asked it in my specialist days. I have even asked it here.
There were a few times when somehow I was overlooked, missed in the communication loop, or there was a breakdown in the communication delivery. There were also times when I had not heard anything about an issue because it wasn’t time for me to know yet.
Most of the time, however, I had been given the information. I just failed in receiving the message. I mistakenly threw a letter mixed in with the junk mail out. I overlooked or accidentally deleted an email. I did not check the organization’s web page or its social media posts. I have to admit that I am still guilty of this from time to time.
When I am asked “Why haven’t I heard about this?” from a colleague, the most common answer I give is “I wrote about it in the Tuesday Letter.” A common response I get in return is “I must have missed it that week” or “I don’t have time to read that.”
We do something at K-State Research and Extension that few organizations do. We have a weekly communication that contains weekly messages from its senior administrative leaders and other submitted articles. The messages and articles regard our profession, strategic considerations, policy and procedural changes, organizational news, and upcoming events.
Yes, some weeks there are a lot of articles. That only makes sense. We are a large productive and impactful organization. That is why there is a statement that summarizes the article. It helps you decide whether you need to read that particular article or not.
Should you read the Tuesday Letter? Do you find yourself asking “Why haven’t I heard about this?” Do you like to be informed and learn about your job, profession, organization, our professional opportunities, and all of the impact we create for the people of Kansas? Do you think it is important to know what is on the Director’s and other senior administrative leaders’ minds? If so, read the Tuesday Letter.
We need to avoid the preaching to the choir effect with this article. If you have a colleague that does not read the Tuesday Letter and is often surprised by already announced news, changes and updates, do them a favor. Print this article off and hand it to them.