Summary:

1.  A connecting file is a deliberate connection point between two units or departments to ensure reliable communication
2. Communication is best done directly from the leader to subordinates when possible
3. Meetings should be done in person, via video conference, phone, text then email. In that order.

 

WAR

 

Imagine that you are the commander of a 40 Marine platoon. Your platoon’s responsibility is  to destroy the enemy on a key hill in the area. The hill is the first objective. The second objective is a radio tower that will be attacked by a different platoon. That platoon will execute after you signal them that your attack was successful. 

Your Marines attack the hill. When you get to the top, there are dozens of dead enemy bodies. Two of your Marines were killed in action and four were wounded. You are totally out of breath and barely able to think.  Your Marines must set in180 degree security facing towards the enemy territory.  

You now need to signal the other platoon to attack or they won’t move. Between heavy breaths you call back on the radio to the other platoon to start their attack on the tower. You get no response. You try again, with no response. You throw a red smoke grenade to signal them.  However, you’re pretty sure they can’t see it from their location. 

 

 

What do you do next?

This situation was the genesis of the “connecting file”. 

The purpose of this article is to explain an important communication practice in the infantry, the connecting file. In battle, the speed and reliability of communication is the difference between life and death. 

A connecting file is a deliberate point where two separate units are close enough to verbally or visually pass critical messages to each other. The furthest Marine on the flank is capable of physically seeing or hearing the Marine in the next unit. 

In this example, imagine that you placed a Marine in a position to keep a visual or audible connection to the other platoon attacking the radio tower. When the conditions were set for them to begin their attack, a Marine literally yelled at them or used a physical signal to start their attacks. That’s a connecting file. 

 

 

In battle the situation is constantly changing and the passing of the updated information is vital for success. A connecting file allows leaders to reliably pass information without using radios. When radios fail, a Marine with a message will deliver. 

Reliability is king. 

 

Challenges of a connecting files 

 

There are a few challenges with a connecting file. First, it takes considerable physical coordination to keep two units in contact. One unit may be moving faster in the attack than the other, or the terrain and vegetation could be so thick that it’s hard to stay in contact. 

Second, with a connecting file, the leader will have to explain the information to another Marine so they can accurately pass it through the connecting file. This takes more time and effort by everyone involved. 

In general, a connecting file takes more time and effort than a simple radio call. What you get for your effort is reliability. In both battle and business, reliable communication will win the day. 

 

Benefits of a connecting files 

 

The main benefit of a connecting file is reliability. Passing critical messages from key to key leader is the ideal communication method. Any other means is a downgrade from ideal and will dilute your message. As the message gets diluted, it becomes less reliable. 

If you pass it through the radio, it gets diluted. If you send an email instead of a call, it gets diluted. If you pass it through too many people, it gets diluted. If you don’t make the person say the message back to you, it gets diluted. The list is endless. 

The connecting file is the least diluted battlefield communication that the infantry currently has. 

 

BUSINESS

 

In the business world almost all problems are the result of ineffective communication from leadership. The lesson from the connecting file is that leaders should pass critical information through direct communication with subordinate leaders on their teams. 

Communication can be thought of as a virus that spreads through a team. It starts with one person and flows exponentially through the organization. If that message is clear and comes from the leader, it will be strong. The connecting file is the strong inception of a message between two teams. 

The simplest and most reliable form of communication is a direct connecting file from one leader to another. When key events have occurred, you should directly and clearly communicate with the key leaders on the affected teams. 

 

 

A connecting file meeting should be in these forms: 

1. One on one or small group discussions when there is actually something to update. It should not be a scheduled 30 minute or 60 minute weekly call. It’s a quick meeting to  discuss relevant updates and then the discussion is over. 
2. Group meetings of no more than five people to solve a specific problem that needs inputs from everyone 
3. Large group meetings for leadership to show the future plans, get feedback on those plans and update everyone on the progress.

Almost all recurring meetings should be canceled to free that time up, so people are free to call or meet with people individually for five to 30 minutes at a time. It is more efficient to quickly and purposely update people when they actually have something to update rather than having a recurring meeting. If you feel that you need a recurring meeting, it should be kept to each group of stakeholders so you can quickly pass on the information that is most relevant to them. 

The worst meetings are weekly recurring meetings that have very little participation from anyone but the leader. For some reason, these are the predominant meetings in the business world. Most people measure their effectiveness by how packed their calendar is, not how many problems they solve. 

In conclusion, in ideal conditions one person looks another in the eye and tells them the message. That person then repeats it back to them to confirm their understanding. The connecting file is the closest thing to ideal communication anyone can get.