OPEN DOORS OF GOOD COMMUNICATION
Recently a communications coaching client queried me about the failure to communicate. He wondered what he must do to ensure that his communication partner accurately interprets and comprehends the information he’s trying to convey. What is needed to open the door to good communication?
WHEN HAS A PERSON FAILED TO COMMUNICATE?
“When has a person failed to communicate?” Actually, we don’t fail to communicate, we communicate at many spoken and implied levels of conversation. In fact, this question reminds me of the scene in the movie Cool Hand Luke when the warden said to Paul Newman, “Boy, what we have here is a failure to communicate!”
THERE IS NO FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE
There is no failure to communicate. However, communication can be unproductive and not useful when we communicate far more than we intend. Your key intention is to communicate trust, so the better question would go something like this: “Was what I said…or what I failed to say…productive for building bridges of trust in this interaction or relationship?” If trust or good will is weakened, then unproductive communication has occurred. If trust or good listening is strengthened, then productive communication has taken place.
YOUR INTENTIONS ARE IMPORTANT IN GOOD COMMUNICATION
This question makes me think of how important our intentions are in good communication. In fact, we can say “My intent is to build bridges or trust here, so I want to listen very carefully to what you have to say, including your dissatisfactions and disagreements. My mind is open to doing new things which would work out better for us all.” …Or something similar, that puts your intention in the center of the communicator table.
The sincere desire to improve communication at all levels of this client’s company started at the top…with the esteemed leadership. Knowing this, I have no doubt that the company’s initiative will succeed. The rewards realized from the positive changes implemented will amaze everyone involved!
ABOUT EXECUTIVE COACH DENNIS O’GRADY, PSY.D.
Dr. Dennis O’Grady is a Dayton, Ohio, effective leadership communications psychologist, enlightening keynote speaker, executive coach, and corporate trainer. He wrote the book on good communication, Talk to Me: Communication Moves To Get Along With Anyone, which is available at drogrady.com or Amazon. Dennis also enjoys leading Listen Up! corporate and hospital training programs on effective listening skills.