Ways to screw up communication.
“7% of any message is conveyed through words, 38% through voice, and 55% through nonverbal elements such as facial expressions, gestures, and posture.”
—Dr. Albert Mehrabian, author of Silent Messages who conducted several studies on nonverbal communication.
Here are 5 common mistakes in communication… (referenced from RAC posting by Kathy Bentz)
5 great ways to screw up communication
Don’t pay attention.
Talk over people. (most interrupt within 17 seconds with the comment or point they’ve been thinking about during the first 17 seconds)
Send an email or text message for important communications.
Don’t make eye contact.
Don’t ask questions (or ask questions with your point embedded—you really aren’t asking anything, just couching your comments in question form).
Oh yes, and…
- Yelling referenced from “I can’t hear you, you’re yelling too loud” from CrazyNormal
- Belittling
- Condescending
- Ignoring
- Talking only about yourself
…also help screw up any conversation.
How do you change? Start by paying attention to what you do. Then make it a goal to stop yourself at each infraction or poor habit and chose another way.
One way is to reverse how you state each poor habit. So instead of continuing poor habits of communication you can do the following. Pay attention. Don’t talk over people. If it’s important, meet and talk or at least call. Make eye contact. Ask questions.
It starts by setting a goal of what you want. Then identify your culprit infraction style. Next, pay attention to your behavior throughout the day. When an infraction occurs, stop and reverse it. Practice. Like all good skills it takes repetition of doing it right.
Leadership skills require good listening and communication skills.
What’s your “go-to” method to screw up communication?
Helping Leaders Breakthrough
“Dominate your life with Focus, Decision and Execution.”
