Miscommunication is one of the most frustrating things we can experience in our lives. It can occur when we want communication to work, but it breaks down due to various reasons, including our emotions. Whenever our emotions get involved, we stop thinking and allow them to think for us. When we stop looking at the problem as the problem and start looking at the person as the problem, miscommunication gets out of hand.
To minimize miscommunication, we need to understand the things that start it. Here are three things that start miscommunication and three ways to minimize it:
No Understanding - Whenever we talk to someone who has no understanding of what we're talking about, miscommunication can occur. It may be because they did not take the time to learn, they are not informed on the issue, or they only see it their way. When we have no understanding, we have to dig a little deeper and take some time to understand or research what the other person is talking about. It may require doing a Google search or finding some understanding through other sources.
Lack of Understanding - A lack of understanding occurs when either you or the other person did not try enough. You just did not try, and if we're ever honest with ourselves, this happens quite a bit. We don't put in the full effort if we're just not interested, and that can be okay sometimes if it's not something important. However, if you're dealing with something with work or family, the list starts to get pretty small when we have a lack of understanding. When we have a lack of understanding, what we are really choosing to do is say, "Hey, this isn't as important to me, so it shouldn't be as important to you." And right there, miscommunication is going to happen right away.
Misunderstanding - is a significant factor in miscommunication. We assume that the other person knows what we're talking about or that they understand what we're trying to say. We also assume that the other person is coming from the same perspective or point of view as us. Assumptions can be dangerous because they are not always accurate, and they can lead to misunderstandings. To avoid misunderstandings, we need to clarify what we mean, and we need to make sure that the other person understands our perspective and you theirs.
Now that we've discussed the things that start miscommunication let's talk about three ways to minimize it:
Slow Down: Slowing down is a great way to minimize miscommunication. It involves paying attention to what the other person is saying, and not just hearing their words but also their tone, body language, and emotions. It will require us to listen without interrupting or judging, and it also requires us to ask questions to clarify what the other person is saying.
Clarification: This is crucial to minimize miscommunication. We need to clarify what we mean and make sure that we can understand both perspectives. It's essential to use clear and concise language and avoid jargon or technical terms that the other person may not understand. We also need to ask questions to clarify what the other person means and make sure that we understand their perspective.
Feedback: Feedback is the most effective way to minimize miscommunication. It involves giving and receiving feedback about the communication process. We need to give feedback to the other person about how we understood their message and ask for feedback on how they understood our message. Feedback helps us to identify areas of miscommunication and correct them.
Miscommunication is frustrating, but it can be minimized if we understand the things that start it and use strategies to avoid them. No understanding, lack of understanding, and misunderstanding are three things that start miscommunication while slowing down, clarification, and feedback are three ways to minimize it
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