There is a military practice that allows a strategic intention to be communicated all the way down to the lowest ranking soldier to ensure that, no matter what happens, the intention is carried out. The practice is called the "command intent," and it allows for the continuation of an initiative even if the original plan starts to disolve, which it will. "All plans fail on the battlefield."

After reading the commanders intent, all of the soldiers in the chain of command should have an easily understood vision of the campaign that is underway. Or more clearly stated, a clear vision of the end state, and what the local conditions of the region will look like when the campaign is over. With the commanders intent, subordinates have flexability to the complete the assigned mission, even as the battlefield conditions change.

For a commanders intent to be effective, it is imperative that it be one thing, simple. "If we achieve nothing else, must must accomplish ..." There may be several items that are intended for a campaign, but there is one mission statement that tops or sums up the entire purpose.

When you communicate ideas, do you have a commanders intent?

As Sam Phillips was portrayed as saying in the movie Walk the Line, "If you was hit by a truck and you was lying out there in that gutter dying, and you had time to sing *one* song. One song that people would remember before you're dirt. One song that would let God know how you felt about your time here on Earth. One song that would sum you up."

If your message could communicate just one thing, what would it be?