Mixed Messages come from the Mixed Up Nuts that eventually get cracked. Are you feeling squeezed? Having a hard time keeping up with who you told what? Is your motto, “do as I say, not as I do”? Be careful… you might be a Mixed Up Nut!
I bought some children’s aspirin last night and noticed a warning label on the box that said “keep out of reach of children”. I know what was meant but I still thought it was kind of a funny warning label for children’s aspirin. But when you think about it, how often do we send mixed messages? The old adage, actions speak louder than words comes to mind. But if your actions contradict your words, things tend to get cloudy. Or if you’re the “play both ends against the middle” kind of person and say one thing to one person and a different thing to another person, messages get mixed up. Basically, you’re playing to your audience instead of to your belief or to what you know is right. We classify people that send mixed messages as Mixed Up Nuts. You play this game too long and you’re going to get cracked.
At some point it comes time to pick a side. Even if people disagree with you they will more likely respect you if they think you stand for something. This doesn’t mean you can’t change your mind or be convinced to a different view. It just means you can’t and shouldn’t have multiple views based on the person you’re dealing with or based on the situation at hand. Make sure you’re sending the same consistent message, holding true to your core values and supporting the vision and culture of your organization.
