Communication Matters
Over the holidays, I framed a t-shirt that Ron’s students gave him that says, “Communication Matters.”
As I thought about the very simple message that the shirt conveyed, I also thought about the power of those words, for at the heart of nearly every conflict lies communication – or miscommunication. Think about the plot of nearly every sitcom or romantic comedy. The trouble usually starts when one person fails to tell the other how he or she really feels or misinterprets the words or action of the other.
Likewise, when you examine how high functioning organizations operate, you often find frequent, open, and honest communication between all parties.
So, how can you improve communication in your organization?
Three relatively simple concepts can make a real different.
1. Listen. Don’t just hear the other person, but really listen to understand his or her perspective. This means suspending prejudgments and not jumping to conclusions. It also means asking questions to get to the heart of what the other person means and perception checking until you both have a common understanding.
2. Talk. Tell people what you need, want, or feel. Don’t make them guess. Too often, people feel afraid to speak up and then fester because things do not go the way they planned or want. People cannot fix what they do not know needs fixed. When you do speak up, make your ideas clear and concise, using “I-messages” to own your feelings and perceptions and make it less likely that others will get defensive by your words. In other words, help them truly listen.
3. Create a safe environment for conversation and conflict, especially if you hold a position of authority. If you tell people you value their input then dismiss it or – even worse – “punish” them for speaking up, you will stifle communication and creativity and erode their trust in you.
Communication truly does matter. How you communicate with others impacts every facet of your work and personal life.
What can you do a little better to improve your communication?
To learn more about ways to improve your communication, check out the following previous blog posts:
Five Tips for Dealing with Difficult Board Members (HINT: Works for colleagues too!)
