Communication IS Leadership

34 responses to “Communication IS Leadership”

1. Eileen says:

   April 4, 2013 at 6:03 pm

   

   Knowledge is a powerful tool, one that solidifies a team and empowers the individual worker.

   Knowledge is a powerful tool, one that solidifies a team and empowers the individual worker.

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2. Michelle Crary says:

   July 21, 2012 at 9:30 am

   

   I love #2 Foundation PRinciple. When I communicate effectly I am taking charge of my life, and the outcomes of ...

   I love #2 Foundation PRinciple. When I communicate effectly I am taking charge of my life, and the outcomes of my situations. By taking the power in my life, I am capable of leading others with my knowledge of how to lead in my own life with the skills I have learned. You cannot change other’s behavior, but you can change how you respond and more importantly, how you adapt. You can choose to be trampled on, or learn how you can adapt to difficult situations. If you choose the later,you have taken control, and therefore have become a leader.

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3. ineedtowin says:

   July 21, 2012 at 12:21 am

   

   #2 Communication is Leadership I admire people who have great communication skills and aspire to be a better communicator in ...

   #2 Communication is Leadership
   I admire people who have great communication skills and aspire to be a better communicator in my own life

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4. Debi Kinzel says:

   July 20, 2012 at 3:53 pm

   

   You don't know how far you've grown, unless you Communicate how you began and how you hope to succeed!

   You don’t know how far you’ve grown, unless you Communicate how you began and how you hope to succeed!

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5. Carla says:

   July 20, 2012 at 10:19 am

   

   I wish more companies would operate this way!

   I wish more companies would operate this way!

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6. Sandra Childress says:

   July 20, 2012 at 5:19 am

   

   Communication is why my marriage failed. We thought we were using the same words and terms...at least they were the same ...

   Communication is why my marriage failed.

   We thought we were using the same words and terms…at least they were the same ones said and heard. But we were not using the same dictionary definitions. So after 10 years…we were tow strangers living together.

   Since then, I’ve come to realize that one doesn’t have to speak the same language, but you do need to be able to communicate clearly and simply. Do not ask for more than the other can process at a time. KISS is important when trying to lead others. Simple steps that build upon each other will get you further than trying to make a giant leap unprepared.

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7. Pat says:

   July 17, 2012 at 2:19 pm

   

   Communication is everything. It involves how management communicates with employees and is even more important the other direction. And it ...

   Communication is everything. It involves how management communicates with employees and is even more important the other direction. And it is crucial when dealing with customers.

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8. Amy Bjornstad says:

   July 14, 2012 at 1:11 pm

   

   Without communication, there is no leadership!

   Without communication, there is no leadership!

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9. MrsT says:

   July 13, 2012 at 8:21 am

   

   I truly believe communication is the key to everything.

   I truly believe communication is the key to everything.

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10. Kim Dumas says:

    July 12, 2012 at 9:44 pm

    

    One motto I have used as an adult is that you can't care about what you don't know about. Communicating ...

    One motto I have used as an adult is that you can’t care about what you don’t know about. Communicating as much as possible to everryone in the company allows people to understand what is happening within the company, others jobs, perspectives and value to the organization. Anyone who has ever worked in a company where communication is lacking knows how important this “simple” tenet is to leadership.

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11. Liliana Grijalva says:

    July 8, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    

    This makes the difference between an effective and ineffective leader in every field.

    This makes the difference between an effective and ineffective leader in every field.

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12. Marian F Richter says:

    July 4, 2012 at 6:25 am

    

    I found your philosophy regarding communication both inspired and inspiring. My undergraduate degree in speech (earned in 1964 at Temple ...

    I found your philosophy regarding communication both inspired and inspiring. My undergraduate degree in speech (earned in 1964 at Temple University) prepared me for so many of life’s challenges. While I subsequently worked hard to acquire three more degrees (masters in communications, PhD in theatre – both at the University of Illinois – and another masters in education and human development at George Washington University), it was my initial exposure to the study of communication over fifty years ago that has provided me with the foundation for achieving diverse goals through the past decades – as an educator, program administrator, writer, mother, birthday party entertainer, storyteller, religious school teacher and more. When The Container Store arrived in Rockville, MD, I became an instant fan. Now I know why!

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13. Kristen says:

    July 2, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    

    This message is so powerful--people want to succeed, they want to do a good job, and if you include them ...

    This message is so powerful–people want to succeed, they want to do a good job, and if you include them and make them part of the process, your chances at success are far better!

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14. Mary Beth says:

    July 2, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    

    When leadership fails to communicate where they are headed, the organization does not always get to the intended destination. ...

    When leadership fails to communicate where they are headed, the organization does not always get to the intended destination. Likewise when the destination is clear, the likelihood for success is much greater.

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15. Susan says:

    July 2, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    

    This is so true -- I know because I've spent too many years in an organization with communication blocks at ...

    This is so true — I know because I’ve spent too many years in an organization with communication blocks at many levels. I’m a pretty new Container Store customer, but I’ve thought many times that if I were to get back into retail, this is the company I’d want to work with!

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16. DMC says:

    July 2, 2012 at 10:21 am

    

    "Communication IS Leadership" is by far the most universal of your foundation principals because it is at the foundation of ...

    “Communication IS Leadership” is by far the most universal of your foundation principals because it is at the foundation of every human interaction. When you read critiques or praise for any company the end point is either a failure to communicate or a success. Thanks for being such a communicative company and for translating your foundation principles so well to your staff.

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17. Dianne Swanson says:

    July 2, 2012 at 8:48 am

    

    Kudos to you for your willingness to keep your employees in the know. Communication is SO important in everything we ...

    Kudos to you for your willingness to keep your employees in the know. Communication is SO important in everything we do. In business, it cultivates trust, pride and understanding among other things.

    Something The Container Store sure is working…I’ve never been to a place where everyone on staff is so pleasant and helpful! It’s a joy to shop there, wonderful products aside!

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18. Joan says:

    July 1, 2012 at 9:18 pm

    

    I can't tell you how many times I've been in a staff meeting only to have someone mention an issue ...

    I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been in a staff meeting only to have someone mention an issue or item of importance, and often others will say, “I didn’t know about that”. Getting everyone on the “same page” is essential.

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19. Jennifer Bennett says:

    July 1, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    

    It is obvious the Container Store has strong leadership. I have not heard the concept of Communication IS Leadership before. ...

    It is obvious the Container Store has strong leadership. I have not heard the concept of Communication IS Leadership before. Most definitions will include Communication as one part of Leadership. I am a strong proponent for open (all way) communication and can see the results of this team effort in each and every Container Store I have visited (Fort Worth, San Diego, San Antonio, and Virginia).
    I retired a few months ago and have been considered applying for part time work with the Container Store. Now it is apparent why I’m drawn to such an impressive workforce.

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20. Stephen says:

    July 1, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    

    Great concepts. Respect and communication are key.

    Great concepts. Respect and communication are key.

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21. Susan McCalla says:

    July 1, 2012 at 5:46 pm

    

    Reading thru your guiding principles is a great reminder of how a store with consciousness can be successful. I remember working ...

    Reading thru your guiding principles is a great reminder of how a store with consciousness can be successful.
    I remember working in a hospital where the director often reminded us of who he was there to support….us, the staff. He knew if he supported us that we would in turn be able to provide the highest quality of patient-centered care!

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22. Jais Petrich says:

    July 1, 2012 at 4:41 pm

    

    I think your high goals and high confidence are both vividly shown in this simple statement: "And because we work ...

    I think your high goals and high confidence are both vividly shown in this simple statement: “And because we work so hard at it, we’ll get closer at achieving that goal than any other company.” This happens to refer to wanting “everyone in our company to know everything!”, but rather than being a singular direction it seems to exemplify your company’s whole ambition.
    My personal experience of seeing this in action was the highly professional help I received in planning and getting the perfectly fitting parts for an Elfa closet for my teenage daughter. It made her happier during her teenage years. (It made me want one too.) I realized one compensation when she grew up and moved away from home–at least the Elfa closet was mine. From the point of view of a customer, you meet this goal!

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23. susan good says:

    July 1, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    

    I like to shop at the Container Store because it is true that the employees not only know the stock, ...

    I like to shop at the Container Store because it is true that the employees not only know the stock, but brainstorm with you as to which product(s) best fits your needs. There is a tremendous amount of inventory, but it is always neatly organized which decreases visual overload.

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24. Laura says:

    July 1, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    

    Communication is indeed empowering. I wish more companies were better at this. By removing upper-management secrets, it instills trust in ...

    Communication is indeed empowering. I wish more companies were better at this. By removing upper-management secrets, it instills trust in the leadership and empowers employees. And the in-store employees are part of the reason I enjoy shopping at Container Store

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25. Lynda Boltz says:

    July 1, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    

    In my own profession, this could not be more true! It's important to build an atmosphere where clarity of ...

    In my own profession, this could not be more true! It’s important to build an atmosphere where clarity of communication is practiced, because everyone needs to learn that even the smallest decision or attitude or occurrence has a multitude of results. We all are better served and better in a position to serve if we all know how our actions affect everyone else. Thank you for sharing your strong and fair leadership style! CONTAINER STORE is my favorite place to go, and I’m so happy you have a store in Raleigh NC now.

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26. Sandra Axelrad Boccara says:

    July 1, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    

    I have shopped at The Container Store since the doors opened at your Galeria store. I am never disappointed in ...

    I have shopped at The Container Store since the doors opened at your Galeria store. I am never disappointed in the communication skills of each of the employees I meet. Well-informed, friendly, always patient, they are ready to help you solve the problem. This kind of service builds loyalty! There are other places I could go who have similar products however I believe that it’s the people working at TCS who make me return. Let’s face it, people by from people!

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27. joann says:

    July 1, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    

    when people know what proceeds them and what follows them, they better understand what is expected of them, communication for ...

    when people know what proceeds them and what follows them, they better understand what is expected of them, communication for all,is very effective for efficiency

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28. Krista Dyson says:

    July 1, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    

    1 = 3 is a philosophy that is SO relevant to today's workforce. Finding those applicants who will go ...

    1 = 3 is a philosophy that is SO relevant to today’s workforce. Finding those applicants who will go the extra mile and embrace their work as a livelihood and not just a “job” is essential. This is what makes companies profitable and customers HAPPY. I work in education, and I believe the same is true in the public sector (you save more money retaining great employees that continually hiring & training mediocre ones).

    Congratulations on your many years of success – and many more. I’m in South Florida, and we LOVE the fact that you’ve opened a Broward County location.

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29. Tam Simons says:

    July 1, 2012 at 1:19 pm

    

    Wow! This section resonated with me because I have had a working environment with terrible communication, followed by one ...

    Wow! This section resonated with me because I have had a working environment with terrible communication, followed by one with amazing communication. The difference that good communication made in our school as a whole, in the attitudes of the staff and the results we were able to achieve was remarkable. Kudos to you for understanding the importance of communication. Reading your principles has given me a greater respect for your organization. I have always loved the Container Store, just wish you had more stores so I could shop there more often.

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30. Pat Rice says:

    April 2, 2012 at 12:06 pm

    

    I have always found that my associates are more will to give that extra effort when they know the reasoning ...

    I have always found that my associates are more will to give that extra effort when they know the reasoning behind what they are being asked to do.

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31. Antoinette Ward says:

    June 15, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    

    I just finished reading Container Store's foundation principles, and I must communicate to you that the more I read, the ...

    I just finished reading Container Store’s foundation principles, and I must communicate to you that the more I read, the more excited I became about not only your company, but the possibility of potentially working there as well. I love the type of “whole brained” appraoch your corporation takes on for itself. Everyone desires open and honest. I know that I do. There could not be a more perfect way of communication.
    Thank you

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32. Linda Feo says:

    June 9, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    

    After working in various assignments as a contractor for the past two years, I can really speak to this philosophy. ...

    After working in various assignments as a contractor for the past two years, I can really speak to this philosophy. It is very difficult to be placed in an work environment that, most times, is unfamiliar to you. What’s difficult is that you are expected to magically understand the role of the department within a company with little or no training. I found that if I am not trained in “the big picture” first, but rather trained to learn a task or series of tasks, I am not able to trouble shoot beyond “the task” if necessary. It is extremely important to be trained in the business at large and then zero in on the specific details of the business in order to completely understand the total picture. When this happens, you are equipped to think on your own and be able to tackle most situations that present themselves at any given time.
    Knowledge is power! Empowering your employees is the most valuable gift you can provide as an employer!!!

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    • Ann Duncan says:

      September 5, 2011 at 10:01 pm

      

      Absolutely, Linda! I certainly agree. For many years I taught and coached as well as having experience in retail ...

      Absolutely, Linda! I certainly agree. For many years I taught and coached as well as having experience in retail sales and management. I can attest to the fact that empowering others just creates a non-intimidating and inspiring atmosphere in which others feel free to grow, understand and contribute.

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33. John Walters says:

    January 22, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    

    Communications is the tool by which executives implement their strategies.

    Communications is the tool by which executives implement their strategies.

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