Communication Barriers – by Arnie Wohlgemut
- Money doesn’t grow on trees.
- Curiosity killed the cat.
- The early bird gets the worm.
- Good things come to those who wait.
None of these statements have a clear purpose and some are simply not accurate.
- You actually can buy a “money tree”, it’s a house plant. However, money does not grow on it.
- There is no scientific proof that curiosity killed the cat or anyone, just because they were curious.
- Is there really only one worm and if you sleep in, you’ll miss your chances to get one?
- Do good things actually come to those who wait? I believe it comes from getting off our butts and work hard then wait for the fruits of that labour.
How many more are there in our daily language that serve no purpose? In communicating with those in your care, these sayings, and others like them, can be confusing.
“The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success.”
James Cash Penny
- Clarity is the key to successfully communicating tasks
This past week, I received a reference check call for a former colleague of mine. The future potential employer had a lot of good questions. I was asked if all assignments were completed on time. The short answer was ‘yes’.
The story behind that answer is that I often have some discussion about timelines, but only after clarifying expectations. There were even times when the timelines needed to adjusted due to circumstances beyond our control.
“Anger is the result of lack of timely communication.”
Neetu Jawle
- Timely feedback matters
One of the most feared ‘management’ function is the performance review. There should be no surprises, both positive and negative, that is why they are called reviews. If a team member did a great job, say so immediately. Do not save it for a better time because there is no better time. If there is something you need to address, say it right away, this saves confusion and anger later.
“Accurate communication requires that both parties respond to a common vocabulary with a common meaning.”
Robert O. Kuehl
- Accuracy protects working relationships
I live by two key communication rules.
- Good news and bad new must be delivered “in person”. Never using a text or email. If you cannot visit the person, arrange for a video call, and let them see your face. Only use an email to confirm your conversation.
- Never summarize or generalize the issue. Unless this is true, you would never say “You’re always late.” “No one wants to work with you.”
Accuracy allows the specific success to be celebrated or the action to be corrected. It allows progress and builds trust.
Whether your team works from home or they are in the same physical location, take these three steps to improve your communication, make them your new normal.
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