Monday, March 12, 2007

Perspective

It's been another hard lesson in communication.

What you meant to say, what you think you said, what you actually said, what they appear to have heard, and what they actually heard, and what they understood about what they heard ... (draws deep breath) are not the same thing. I know it seems blatantly obvious, but it's worse. In fact the degree of overlap between any of the above is seriously open to question.

Why do we assume that communication is easy?

Why can't we recognise that it's a fairly fuzzy experience at the best of times, and that even that is a rare occurence?

It seems to me that to be sure that each stage bears some relation to the previous one we need to challenge or test the understanding at every step. And to do that without coming across as patronising or insulting can't be easy.

And yet if we don't do it, we stand to be bitterly disappointed. As I have been with a recent project brief where, from what I can tell so far, what I tried to convey from my outbox has just registered in the destination inbox.

In this case there are some signs that a few minor details have made it across the great divide. But the perspective is just nowhere to be seen.

Communication isn't easy. It isn't a short process, or even a one-off process. It takes time and repeated iterations to make half a fist of it. So why don't we give it that?

Are we too shy?

Do we think it's easier than it is, despite evidence to the contrary?

Is it really a question of time?

Besides all of that, what am I going to do to improve my communications?

More time. More times. Listen (read) at least as much as I talk (write).

Any ideas or tips very gratefully received!

Perspective

It's been another hard lesson in communication.

What you meant to say, what you think you said, what you actually said, what they appear to have heard, and what they actually heard, and what they understood about what they heard ... (draws deep breath) are not the same thing. I know it seems blatantly obvious, but it's worse. In fact the degree of overlap between any of the above is seriously open to question.

Why do we assume that communication is easy?

Why can't we recognise that it's a fairly fuzzy experience at the best of times, and that even that is a rare occurence?

It seems to me that to be sure that each stage bears some relation to the previous one we need to challenge or test the understanding at every step. And to do that without coming across as patronising or insulting can't be easy.

And yet if we don't do it, we stand to be bitterly disappointed. As I have been with a recent project brief where, from what I can tell so far, what I tried to convey from my outbox has just registered in the destination inbox.

In this case there are some signs that a few minor details have made it across the great divide. But the perspective is just nowhere to be seen.

Communication isn't easy. It isn't a short process, or even a one-off process. It takes time and repeated iterations to make half a fist of it. So why don't we give it that?

Are we too shy?

Do we think it's easier than it is, despite evidence to the contrary?

Is it really a question of time?

Besides all of that, what am I going to do to improve my communications?

More time. More times. Listen (read) at least as much as I talk (write).

Any ideas or tips very gratefully received!

Labels: