On the radio I have often heard a commercial for a remodeling company that uses the tagline, “First impressions are instant and very difficult to change.” Wow! I thought it was quite clever and actually brutally honest. It’s one of those sayings that can be either a good thing or a not so good thing…depending upon who is saying it and in what context. I’ve thought back over this past week on some of the more “fun” issues I was privileged to have been exposed too. Some of the words are still ringing in my ears….Some of those words (and the meaning/intent) can be positive or not so positive, it’s all a matter of PERSPECTIVE …for example:
1) That’s water under the bridge…
2) Are you sure…?
3) Of course, last time we didn’t have any problems…
4) I think you’re close….
5) I don’t know you very well…
6) Sorry…
Communication and more importantly, CLEAR communication can be the difference between someone leaving with a good feeling versus a not so good feeling. As youngsters, we’ve likely all heard or perhaps used a chant that went something to the way of: “Stick and Stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me…” Well, it might have served a purpose back then to try to bluff someone into thinking that what was being said wasn’t bothering you…but really it was. Not any different today…the words chosen can and do have a significant impact on those around us. As technical staff some of the words we use are somewhat foreign to many people. We tend to use acronyms and IT related jargon. When people don’t understand your words, two things tend to happen…either they insert their own word(s) or thinking or they start to tune you out. Neither of which is overly positive. While in our case the use of acronyms and jargon isn’t typically meant to harm or belittle…it can be interpreted that way. Others may feel a sense of inadequacy or they may feel you are trying to “talk above them.” No one really likes that situation.
So when we communicate in any situation, think about what you want and what you have to say. Consider your audience and their position…then communicate your thought. I believe there will be less chance for misunderstanding or hard feelings.
As far as my experiences this past week…I tend to believe most of the examples I listed were harmless, but if different words or sentences had been used, likely I would have had no initial doubts. AS a now famous man has told most of us time and time again: “If you are not sick and tired of communicating, then you are not doing it enough…” Let’s make sure our communication is clear and easily understood and not open to second guessing.
TAFN
1 comment:
Long years ago, I took the Effective Communication class offered by HR. I say long ago, because Wayne Sanders taught it. Wayne was a great communicator.....he talked all the time! The one thing that I remember from that class was that communication is a two-way street. You can be like Wayne and talk all the time, but if your audience isn't listening, you are not communicating. It is the responsibility of both the speaker and the listener to actively participate in the conversation. If you are the listener and don't understand the speaker, ask questions. If you are the speaker and want to check if your audience is getting what you say, ask questions. Or, another way to confirm that what you "heard" was what was "said", repeat the idea back to the speaker in your own words. If they have effectively communicated the idea to you and you have effectively understood the idea, then you both will agree on the idea even if it is in different words.
Post a Comment