|
"The single biggest problem in communication is the
illusion that it has taken place."
- George Bernard Shaw
|
|
~ |
 
Miss Communication
By Craig Kitch
www.craigkitch.com
Not long ago, I held a communication
workshop for a restaurant chain and asked a pretty young lady to assist
me in a demonstration. As she walked to the front of the room, I
announced to the group that we had just held a beauty contest and that
one of the finalists was with us today. As she turned to face the group,
I introduced her as Miss Communication and asked for a nice round of
applause. Following the ovation, I indicated that she was obviously
pretty and smart and asked why everyone was using her for a scapegoat.
“You blame her for everything”, I said. When the customer is not
properly served, and complains, we blame it on Miss Communication. When
two departments are not working well together and the corporate office
wants to know what’s wrong, the answer is often Miss Communication.
While this was obviously an oddball demonstration, I got their attention
and made my point. Miscommunication has become such a scapegoat that
many people accept it as a viable reason for any problem.
Good communication can build an empire and poor communication can
destroy one. It is such an integral part of what we do, especially in
the information age, that it boggles my mind as to why most companies
invest so little in teaching their people good communication skills and
then holding them to a standard. The accurate sharing of information is
a skill that can be learned and developed continuously.
Communication is more than talking and listening. Genuine communication
requires a deep understanding of another person’s perspective. But when
you take into consideration all of our biases, behavioral
idiosyncrasies, unspoken emotions, personal agendas and unshared
assumptions, this can seem almost impossible. The best communicators
know how to read other people. They see how others interpret their
behaviors, leaving them with a gut-level appreciation for the needs of
their co-workers. They are then able to adapt their communication styles
in a way that creates an enduring working alliance among the group.
Communication is ultimately everyone’s responsibility, but most
companies would agree that managers and supervisors have the greatest
responsibility for ensuring the accurate transfer of information. In my
workshops, I take participants on a journey of self discovery that
allows them to understand their own motives and preferences learn the
behavioral differences in others and then see how different people
interpret their behaviors. They then have the insight they need to alter
their approach with people of various styles and become more effective
in communicating with everyone around them. At the end of the day, you
can blame Miss Communication, and make no headway in life, or you can
take responsibility for your actions and become a person of great
influence.
For more information on how
you can reach your full potential and perform at your best on a daily
basis, visit
www.craigkitch.com
|
