Yes, But What Are You Really Saying?

More and more I hear people misunderstanding what someone else has said to them, especially when it came through a memo or email. This can lead to a great deal of turmoil at work and affect morale.

You see, when we are standing in front of a person, we pay more attention to body language and tone then we do to the words they are saying. However, when we are reading a note or short message, especially ones written in a hurry, we tend to misunderstand what the other person was trying to tell us.

I have seen situations where a person really believed the other person was angry or upset with them, only to find out later, they weren't.
This is one reason that I say to people, "CLARIFY". If you are not sure, than ask.

I also state to supervisors and management, to ensure that people are not afraid of asking. I have seen some huge disasters created by people who were to afraid to clarify and took a guess instead.
For supervisors who say that they don't always have time to answer questions, then it is important to have something in place that can keep the lines of communication open.
It could be:
Another person that assists
A manual of most commonly asked questions
A place they could leave you a memo that you can get to

Whatever method you choose, keeping the lines of communication open is easier than fixing disasters afterwards.

A collection of headlines that I received shows an example of how, what the person meant to say, isn't quite how it ended up. Here are some of them for you to see.
The comments underneath are mine.

Some Of The Worst News Headlines

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
(It's a good thing Jets don't crash when things are going right)

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
(This is probably a little harsh)

Drunk Gets Nine Months in Violin Case
(Talk about cramped quarters}

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
(That was very noble of him)

Miners Refuse to Work after Death
(Imagine them wanting to rest in peace)

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
(I guess they wanted to speed things up)

Stolen Painting Found by Tree
(My what an intelligent tree, I wonder if it had to go far)

Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years at Checkout Counter
(And I thought my grocery store had long line ups)

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
(I guess there is a degree of truth to that)

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
(Don't think I will drive across that one)

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
(My, they have tall doctors)

New Vaccine May Contain Rabies
(Then I don't want it)

Even though we can laugh at these headlines, I wanted to show, where we could have one meaning, only to have it interpreted at another.

When people come to us for clarity, it can be a wonderful thing that you may be grateful for in the end.

Just keep in mind, the more important your message is, the more important it is to ask yourself, "Could this be interpreted at a different level?

All the Best!
Maria Boomhower
The Master Communicator
"Command Attention & Confidence"
http://www.falconfreedom.com
Master Communicator Blog
P.S. If you like what you're reading in this newsletter, you'll love the book,
"Overcoming Barriers to Communication"
It's an interactive manual that takes you through the steps to help you overcome
challenges in communicating and connecting with others.
Overcoming Barriers to Communciation

---

Franchisor Award Programs; Ideas and Innovation

Franchisors should also be heavy on the award side of... Read More

Motivating Your Employees

CREATE A MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE: Create a climate where others find... Read More

How the P.R.I.D.E. Team Changed my Call Center

Several years ago I took an assignment as a Manager... Read More

Grow Your Staff into a Team of Creative Problem Solvers

As a manager, your employees will come to you with... Read More

7 Key Dimensions of High Performance Teams

7 Key Dimensions of High Performance Teams We can always... Read More

Always In Motion Is The Future

It's the summer of 1973, and a young film director... Read More

Working as a Winning Team

It's a great sunny day so it's time to get... Read More

Working with Difficult People: 3 Questions to Help You Turn Your Tormentors into Teachers

The Dance of ConflictWhen faced with the prospect of meeting... Read More

Leading the Witness: How Asking Questions as a Trainer Can Limit Learning and Reduce Trust

"Asking questions can be a means of establishing authority, fulfilling... Read More

Creating Unity In Your Company

The other day I got a call from a friend... Read More

You, Your Team, and Your Coach

The grand purpose of coaching is to help your managers,... Read More

Effective Team Building for Stronger Teams

TEAM LEADERS WORKSHOPAlice asked Cheshire cat "which road should I... Read More

Having Trouble Motivating Others? Try WIIFM

Recently my fourteen-year old son Matt dressed up as Santa... Read More

Yes, But What Are You Really Saying?

More and more I hear people misunderstanding what someone else... Read More

Brainstorm

Ever lost for ideas while working in a group? One... Read More

12 Tips and Reminders for Team Members To Enjoy Their Team Experiences More

12 Tips and Reminders for Team Members To Enjoy Their... Read More

In 2005 Collaboration is Key

Perhaps you're a small business owner wondering how you and... Read More

Team Work

There's nothing that matches the power of teamwork to accomplish... Read More

Team Building Celebration Plan -- Perfect For Any Time of Year

When was your last team celebration? Have you been way... Read More

Discovering the Truth on MLM

Truth on mlmDid you know that the truth on mlm... Read More

What Every Manager, Parent, and Teacher Should Know About How to Unify Employees, Families, & Youth

Project Head Start has been successful not only for the... Read More

Winning Teams on the Football Field and in the Office

Teams, teams, teams. They're all the rage these days. Whether... Read More

Feedback For Learning Can Turn Your Team Into Winners

Feedback:Most experts agree both types; constructive and positive feedback are... Read More

Building a Successful Team

Once you've set a goal for yourself as a leader... Read More

Team Building Seminars: Why New Teams Struggle

With over 25 years of research and experience, we have... Read More

Feedback - How to Make it Effective

Let's look at the detail of giving feedback. Whether you... Read More

Manage Expectations to Reduce Everyday Frustrations

Just today my partner Russ and I sat down to... Read More

Nine Ways to Contribute to Project Team Success

The world of work has changed. It used to be... Read More

Whats Your REAL problem??

When was the last time you spent excessive time and... Read More

Effective Brainstorming

Most managers simply herd some people in a room with... Read More

Constructive Group Dynamics: How to Go from the S.N.I.P.P.Y. Syndrome to a C.L.E.A.R. V.I.E.W.

If asked to look at your work calendar for the... Read More

Story Telling With a Purpose

For a brief time, I tried to sell life insurance.... Read More

Checklist for High Performing Teams

Why do some teams perform well while others struggle? How... Read More