EMC309 Know what I mean? 2/3 To: Emergency Communications Units - Information Bulletin To: Emergency Management Agencies via Internet and Radio By: Auxiliary Communications Service (ACS) of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services EMC309 Do you know what I mean? 2/3 For release 10/1/01 Last weeks bulletin was about ideas/concepts as being in mental compartments comparable to mail in a post office box"; and how the mind reaches into that "mail box" to compare a word you heard some one say with the concepts you have on file. We also rasied the issue of what happens when the idea or concept (hence emotion/response that created the idea in the first place) differs drastically from yours. In discussing "volunteers" with government officials, it is apparent that some have very different ideas about volunteers. Obviously it's based on some experience I cannot access, but can acknowledge that it exists. For instance, an item typically of concern is appearance. While that may seem trite (or inflammatory to some), it is a fact. Most officials are too tactful to say it, but this is what they mean: "If you don't look like us, if you don't talk like us, if you don't act like us, and if you don't perform like us, then you are not one of us." An example: a group wanted to work with the local sheriff and provide him with "radio communications". The sheriff said "fine, you have to purchase and wear a shirt with my logo on it". The group answered "no way" because they did not grasp the meaning of his response, and lost an opportunity. So, how does that relate? Can't you make the connection? Here's an experience that may help. Early in my career I had a client needing a tax-deferred real estate exchange. I interviewed 45 brokers with owners with property of possible interest. When the word "exchange" entered the conversaton, 44 _immediately_ closed their minds and stopped all discussion. What was unfortunate was that before shutting off the idea 5 brokers had already provided facts from which it was apparent that their property owner could have been interested in a property exchange, but they could not accept the idea themselves (probably because they couldn't figure out how they would get their commission; or "exchange" conjured up the ancient "horsetrade" where an old horse was pawned off on an unsuspecting buyer. Had I said it differently (as I later learned to do) it could have been different. Instead of "exchange" I discovered it was effective to speak in different words: "If you and the owner can close escrow and receive the following (XX and YYY) will you agree to, or consider, a transaction?" Mental concepts control our response more than most realize. Next week: Pictures in the mind about "RACES" and "Amateurs" --------- Send any bulletin topics/articles to cary_mangum@oes.ca.gov To get the bulletin each week send a blank e-mail message to to subscribe, or to to unsubscribe. You'll get a confirmation message to which you must reply in order for the command to "take." Bulletins archives: ACS Web page: http://acs.oes.ca.gov/ ftp.ucsd.edu/emcomm or ftp.oes.ca.gov/ACS/EMCOMM and a telephone BBS 916-262-0856 (graphical & standard interface). EOM