By
Bill Fields
Submitted On February 16, 2011
"How long is a day?"
Quick! It's not a trick question.
A "day", as we all know, is 24 hours long. And yet, when it's dark, we call it "night". It's "day", when there's light. There is a restaurant that serves all day breakfast and is open 24 hours. Another restaurant closes at 5 p.m., but also says that they serve all day breakfast.
Often, we use the same word to convey very different meanings. Obviously, this can lead to Communication Confusion.
"I need the report tomorrow."
This is fuzzy communication and ambiguous direction.
The manager may need the report at the start of the next day, whereas the employee may have assumed that the report was required by the end of the next business day.
The only way to resolve this dilemma, is to confirm the intent of the communication.
In order to eliminate Communication Confusion, the communication process requires a feedback loop from the Receiver of the communication back to the Sender of the communication to ensure proper and complete understanding.
Ask the Receiver of the communication to re-state her or his understanding of what was said. This process of paraphrasing will help to ensure that what was implied is consistent with what was inferred.
Benefits
This is a relatively simple process that can become a normal part of how you communicate. For example, whenever I'm giving directions, I always say "Would you indulge me please and read them back, just to ensure that I didn't mess them up." This technique works extremely well, takes the focus off the other person (I'm not signaling that I think they are dumb and can't write down the directions properly), and has avoided someone getting lost on several occasions.
Clear Communication will result in:
* Reduced frustration and conflict
* Improved performance
* Positive work environment
Quick! It's not a trick question.
A "day", as we all know, is 24 hours long. And yet, when it's dark, we call it "night". It's "day", when there's light. There is a restaurant that serves all day breakfast and is open 24 hours. Another restaurant closes at 5 p.m., but also says that they serve all day breakfast.
Often, we use the same word to convey very different meanings. Obviously, this can lead to Communication Confusion.
"I need the report tomorrow."
This is fuzzy communication and ambiguous direction.
The manager may need the report at the start of the next day, whereas the employee may have assumed that the report was required by the end of the next business day.
The only way to resolve this dilemma, is to confirm the intent of the communication.
In order to eliminate Communication Confusion, the communication process requires a feedback loop from the Receiver of the communication back to the Sender of the communication to ensure proper and complete understanding.
Ask the Receiver of the communication to re-state her or his understanding of what was said. This process of paraphrasing will help to ensure that what was implied is consistent with what was inferred.
Benefits
This is a relatively simple process that can become a normal part of how you communicate. For example, whenever I'm giving directions, I always say "Would you indulge me please and read them back, just to ensure that I didn't mess them up." This technique works extremely well, takes the focus off the other person (I'm not signaling that I think they are dumb and can't write down the directions properly), and has avoided someone getting lost on several occasions.
Clear Communication will result in:
* Reduced frustration and conflict
* Improved performance
* Positive work environment
Diamond Management Institute develops high-performance
organizations through customized management consulting, strategic and
operational planning, leadership development, and employee training
solutions. We are passionate about improving performance and
effectiveness - for organizations and for individuals.
Contact Bill Fields, President at 905-820-8308 or http://diamondmanagementinstitute.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bill_Fields/936591
Contact Bill Fields, President at 905-820-8308 or http://diamondmanagementinstitute.com
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