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When you speak you
become a source and express a message or an idea. The receiver will hear and
interpret your message. Then the receiver will react to your message and in turn
become a source (speaker) who might develop another message and send it back to
you (receiver). Successful communication involves the ability to speak, receive
feedback and respond appropriately.
You must understand and remember
and overcome pre-conceived ideas to actually hear what your associate has to
say. You will have to put aside your busy schedule temporarily and pay attention
in order to understand their point of view. Most of all, you must remember what
was said in order to respond thoughtfully. Provide your business associates with
feedback that is specific, descriptive and constructive.
Learn to consider other ideas or find alternatives, then move things forward. Support each other and commit to action. This tends to bring people together and create a comfortable setting. Practice the following:
o Pay attention to the speaker and offer feedback
o Listen for meaning and watch facial expressions and body language
o Don’t respond until you have time to consider what you want to say
o Be sure you have heard the speaker correctly before you respond
o Respect your business associate’s needs, worries and anxieties
o Ask for advice and demonstrate equality with your associates
o Make objective evaluations and keep an open mind
o Offer advice only if asked
o Hold open, honest meetings for teamwork and cooperation
o Keep all parties informed so everyone feels equal
o Try to understand other points of view
o Create motivation with recognition of other ideas and feelings
o Look at the humor in situation
Avoid confrontation
When you are in conflict or stressful situations feel free to say that you are worried, upset or uneasy. If you express how you feel the likelihood of confrontation is averted. People tend to become less defensive. Avoid the following behaviors:
o Ridicule
o Lectures
o Punishment
o Verbal attack
o Counter attack
o Judgments
o
Criticisms
If you want to promote an idea but are out of touch with your business partners, you won’t be successful. Don’t forget everyone involved will have to actually implement the idea. Misunderstanding and failure will be avoided when you replace suspicion and hostility with trust and respect. Success will come with regular, consistent effort that builds openness and collaboration.