Sometimes, keeping it simple is the key.
Even when writing thoughts in an article, the point can come across well without going through paragraphs of explanation. The fewer words it takes to land the point, the less room there is for someone to read it wrong. Simple survives the trip from my head to someone else’s. Anything extra is just more that can get lost along the way.
Let’s give it a go……
Recently, I’ve committed myself to improving my communication abilities. How can I communicate more efficiently and ensure the point is clear without misunderstanding? Those of us who partner and connect with remote groups on a daily basis, know the challenges of good communication. A lot of that happens over video calls rather than in writing, but tone and intent still get lost more easily with a screen in between than they would in the same room. Knowing when to move a conversation from a written message to an actual face-to-face conversation, even a remote one, matters as much as anything I say once we’re there. So to better myself, these are the things I need to consider:
Am I / Do I
- Able to present ideas and provide information with clarity.
- Able to instill trust and believability.
- Know how to plan communications and consider impact.
- Know how to listen and test for understanding.
- Able to elicit and handle feedback well (create a dialogue, not a monologue).
- Recognize and distinguish between facts and interpretations.
- Check for assumptions and verify what recipient “think they have heard” (paraphrased responses).
- Understand miscommunications rather than to blame.
A hand full of points, each with a profound impact.
Something I keep coming back to
I come back to this list again and again. Especially after a conversation that didn’t land the way I meant it to….. that’s usually the signal something on this list needs more attention, not less. I’m not trying to score perfectly against all eight. I’m trying to notice which one I’m weakest on right now, and work on that one deliberately.
Thoughts to consider…. sure couldn’t hurt.