At Ready2ACT, we help various companies and professionals communicate more effectively. 

However, there is an alarming trend for people to focus on efficiency at the expense of effectiveness. What's the difference?

Effective communication occurs when the intended meaning of the source/sender and the perceived meaning of the receiver are virtually the same.

The purpose of efficient communication is to do so at a minimum cost in terms of resources expended. Examples of efficient communication are email, voicemail, text, postings, and group meetings.

The danger of only using efficient means of communication is that your message is not understood or sometimes even worse, misunderstood.

If you find yourself composing an email for an hour because you're worried that the receiver will take it the wrong way, email is the wrong medium. This is an example of how an efficient method may not be effective, and it's no longer efficient if you're spending so much time using it.

The goal is to be both effective and efficient; so next time you get ready to communicate, ask yourself, "what is the best way to make sure my message is understood the way I intend?" Then, choose your communication medium wisely. You'll be a better communicator as a result.

Want to learn more"? Contact us or Attend our talk on "Communication with Multiple Locations" on October 12 at the Ownership Thinking Conference in Denver, CO.