Why Miscommunication Happens

I’ve recently been researching for an online course and as part of my research, I’ve been talking to different people about their experiences in the workplace, and also at home. We’ve been looking at the keys to good communication and one comes up time and time again. The ability to paint, as closely as possible, a picture in the other person’s head that mirrors the picture that you have in yours.

When you don’t share the same picture as the person your communicating with all sorts of interesting things can occur. Sometimes you both end up laughing because you both see the funny side of it. However, at other times one or both of you can get upset, really upset. Perhaps one of you gets angry or starts to cry. Very occasionally, a misunderstanding can even have a fatal outcome.

Isn’t that a fabulous example of how misunderstandings occur when you have completely different pictures in your heads? So next time you find yourself in a situation of misunderstanding why not try this very simple technique. Stop for a moment – press pause. Now ask yourself this question:

“How might the picture in my head differ from the picture in theirs?”

Spend a moment identifying where it is that your wires have become crossed. Somewhere in your communications you have failed to share the picture you have in your head or they have failed to grasp it. Whichever way it is, once you understand how both your pictures differ, then you can start to resolve the communication conflict.

Are you struggling to make yourself heard and fed up of being overlooked? Do you find it hard to communicate with some of your co-workers, your managers, or your employees? Or perhaps its your friends and family that are proving the bigger challenges for you. If you ahve ever found yourself replaying conversations in your head… worrying about what you did or didn’t say you are not alone. The great news is that whatever area of communication you are struggling with, whether it is one:one or presenting to a group, a coach with a specialism in communication can help. If you’d like to learn more you can book a free one hour telephone chat, called a Clarity Call, with me by clicking here. My clients tell me that I am very easy to talk to so why not go ahead and book in for a chat. Or if you still aren’t quite sure, you can learn a bit more about me here.

Executive Communication Coaching

Many years ago, when I took my MBA, they had a unit on organisational behaviour. Whilst the lecturers spoke about the principles of how people behave within organisations they failed to address how to communicate to get results. I believe this was a huge flaw in the MBA curriculum. Future managers, execs and business owners graduated from their masters degree without the knowledge of how to ensure that they always got their message across. As a result many found that the instructions they gave were not followed, their advice or suggestions often fell on deaf ears, and communication with staff or team members was frought with difficulties.

Over the years, coaching busy professionals and executives, I frequently hear them confess that they delay or hide from challenging, awkward, and uncomfortable conversations. They worry that their instructions are not followed and often place the blame on staff being inattentive. They complain about suppliers being non-compliant, and stakeholders with whom they are in a constant tug of war. They also share their frustration at giving presentations to their board, or customers, and being met with blank stares. The good news is that with communication coaching they managed to change their communications around, and you can too.

Executive communication coaching is designed to help you better communicate with those inside, and outside, your organisation. From colleagues and staff to key stakeholders, customers and suppliers, once you up your communication game your relationships will take off.

The best communication coaches will help improve your sales, negotiation and presentation skills. Not only will you be able to confidently make yourself understood, and gain buy-in to your ideas, you will also learn to ask questions that give you access to the information you need to make the best decisions. Before you know it you’ll find the instructions you give are followed to the letter. In addition you’ll learn how to tackle those difficult conversations that those less skilled than you will still be shying away from.

If you’d like to know more about  my communication coaching program let’s have a chat. The program is designed to get you results fast. So,  instead of feeling like you have been dealt the losing hand in  negotiations, and  failing to gain support for your ideas, you will learn to confidently, and clearly present your case. That means  that you will become a respected leader who can influence decision-making, because your opinions are listened to and valued. What that ultimately means is that you will have the confidence to hold any conversation knowing that you have the communication tools you need to understand others and ensure that they understand, and respect, you.

If you’d like to book an obligation free chat to put together a strategy to improve your communication style please click the button below.