Far too often, communication issues are at the heart of problems at work. Like it or not, your professional work and relationships are impacted by your ability to communicate. Communication is not only a verbal experience, in a very real sense it is also sensory in nature.
7 Potential Communication Issues
I am convinced there are at least seven universal things that people can “sense” from our words and the manner in which we deliver them. Consider the following things people can sense about you in order to avoid communication issues:
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- How you feel
- Do you like them or not
- Are you glad to be there
- Have you memorized what you said
- Are you lying
- If you are trying to sell them something
- Your level of sincerity
How You Feel
Are you enthused or embarrassed? Desperate or disgusted? Emboldened or embattled? The words you choose and the manner in which you deliver them give indication of all these possibilities and more.
If You Like Them Or Not
Certainly there are times when we think people like us and they don’t, and other times when we think they don’t like us , but they do. Nevertheless, words can have a chilling effect on relationships.
If You Are Glad To be There
We learn at an early age how to plaster on our “greeting line” smiles. Still, attentive, intuitive people can recognize these smiles for the masks they truly are.
If You Have Memorized What You Said
Memorization robs a message of its warmth and spontaneity. Think of the reason you are communicating a particular message, them familiarize yourself with that message, don’t memorize it.
If You Are Lying
Back in the 1970’s the pop music group, The Eagles, sang, “you can’t hide your lying eyes.” I believe they were right. Most people (thankfully) have not developed the pathological ability to lie with the same anatomical effect as telling the truth. If you want to avoid communication issues, never lie. Always tell the truth!
If You Are Trying to Sell Them Something
Most people want to buy, they don’t want to be sold. Communicate the benefits clearly and highlight the value of that which you are communicating and there will be no need to try and sell people on anything, They will gladly “buy” what you are offering because they realize the worthiness of the thing.
Your Sincerity
Some people try valiantly to fake sincerity. Ultimately, however, their ill-fated attempts will leave them with more problems in their communication attempts than successes. Either be sincere in your efforts, or quit pretending.
Avoiding Communication Issues
At your workplace, marketplace, school, place of worship and at home, you don’t have to spend — even waste — countless hours talking. You can communicate with the efficiency and success you know you should and have wished you could. Recognizing the critical importance of things other people can sense from you is a great step toward avoiding communication issues and as a result, communicating more successfully with anyone, anywhere, anytime and under virtually any circumstance.
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