The ACE Model

Have you ever thought of something, and it slipped out of your mouth before you could stop yourself? Sent an email to a boss or colleague or a text message to a family member or friend that may have been delivered differently if a little bit more thought or time had been given? Chances are you have, if you’re human. The better question is do you execute a process or system of thinking about how you communicate the information you are sending, or received? Keep in mind that communication is verbal and non-verbal. Speaking, laughing, gesturing, emailing, debating, the list goes on and on.

Communication is a complex process of encoding and decoding messages (information, ideas, and feelings) (Snyder, 2016, p. 4). It is tough, to say the least. Because we are social and emotional beings from different backgrounds and experiences, it becomes challenging to send the right messages in the way they may have been intended or receive messages in the way they may been expected to be received.

Leaders and managers have a duty to be cognizant of being good, effective communicators. I believe we can agree, leaders have followers. But the idea that being a good, effective communicator rests solely with leaders and managers is a delusion. Followers have the same duty. A model that has worked well throughout my professional and personal life is the ACE model. The acronym, ACE, stands for ‘Analyze, Compose, Evaluate’. See Figure A: The ACE Model.

Analyzing an idea, information, or feelings allows a leader or manager to break down the communication to its roots, or base. Does it need to break down to a detailed, granular, or microscopic level? It depends. Communication could be high- or low-level, general or specific, short or long, clear or unclear, so on and so forth. There are plenty of tools and techniques at one’s disposal that can be deployed to address or attack communication. The point here is to be sure that attention is provided to the idea, information, or feelings.

Composing the message that you intend to send to the receiver may sound like, “duh”, but unless you are flawless in delivering messages in the appropriate tone and delivery there’s room to improve by drafting what you are saying, about to say, or about to do. Good practice is to introduce the content and get it out of your mind and make it something you can see or touch, such as an email or by paper format.

Evaluating is last, but critical, as this is the “filter” aspect of the model. This is the time to change, revise, or clean up what is about to be communicated. This is the step that we all wish we could be better at, or that infamous moment we sometimes wish we could get back. Although we feel the message needs to be said we all must be conscious of what is communicated and how it is communicated. The old saying, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’, gives way for the wrong impression of how impactful, long-lasting words can be. While words will not break bones, they may most definitely hurt an employee, supervisor, or stakeholder. And words last longer than broken bones. Broken bones heal, whereas words stain. Business professionals and leaders must be careful and intentional when communicating. Bad communication can lead to disengagement, lack of motivation, being canceled, or worse!

Figure A: The ACE Model

This three-step process is simple, straightforward, and highly effective. It is a flexible communication process that can be applied to any situation, from “email messages to formal business presentations” (Snyder, 2016, p. xviii). In a personal setting, this can also be applied to your personal relationships with a relative, friend, or a hater. Regardless of the communication, positive or negative, it is best if it is well-thought out. Of course, a leader or manager may not always have the time to break down each situation every time. So, the recourse is to adopt the ACE model into a habit. There is potential to gain a lot of insight or answers, internally or externally, without asking questions by applying this model. In terms of value, time and patience are the cost. The return is worth it.

Personally, I use the ACE model along with the five-why analysis (who, what, when, where, why, and sometimes how) on a regular, routine basis. The results and outcomes I have experienced I can say have been favorable. They may not have been to my liking, but for the most part, they have been favorable. Don't believe me? Try using the ACE model for a half-day, full day, full week, or to a specific communication! I would be interested in hearing from you.

References

Snyder, B. S. (2016). Business Communication: Polishing Your Professional Presence, 3rd Edition. Hoboken: Pearson.

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Meet Nikia Smith, the Project Management Consultant driving success at Business and Wealth Generations. With over a decade of advisory expertise, Nikia orchestrates strategy and operations, spearheading growth and innovation. Beyond his professional endeavors, Nikia actively participates in his community, having served on the Board of Directors at the Project Management Institute Florida Suncoast Chapter in different roles for several years. Recognized for his contributions, he received the PMI Florida Suncoast Chapter Award in 2018 for significantly boosting membership and retention and was also selected to attend the 2019 PMI North America Leadership Institute Meeting in Philadelphia. Nikia holds a Bachelor's Degree in Management and Organizational Leadership with a focus on Project Management, alongside several business certificates from St. Petersburg College. He is also certified in CAPM and PMP by the prestigious Project Management Institute. For collaboration opportunities, reach out to Nikia at info@thebusinesswg.com.