[FONT="]10 Common Communication Mistakes[/FONT]
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Avoiding Communication Blunders and Misunderstandings
Communication errors can cause confusion, and damage your reputation.
In this article, we'll look at 10 common communication mistakes, and we'll discuss what you can do to avoid them.
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[FONT="] Mistake 1: Not Editing Your Work
Mistakes with spelling, tone, and grammar make you look careless. That's why it's essential to check all of your communications before you send them.
Don't rely on spell-checkers: they won't pick up words that are used incorrectly. Instead, proofread your work, and use a dictionary to look up any words that you're unsure about.
Mistake 2: Delivering Bad News by Email [/FONT]
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Would you announce layoffs to your team by email or IM? If you did, you could upset everyone!
Written communication channels don't allow you to soften difficult messages with nonverbal cues (such as body language), and they don't allow you to deal immediately with intense emotions.
If you need to deliver bad news, do this in person, and think carefully about how you can do it sensitively, so that you can convey your message but minimize long-term upset at the same time.
When you deliver a difficult message personally, you can pick up on signs that people may have misunderstood key parts of your message, or may have taken the information particularly badly. You can then take steps to clarify your message, or help people deal with the difficult news.
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[FONT="] Mistake 3: Avoiding Difficult Conversations[/FONT]
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At some point, you will need to give negative feedback. It's tempting to try to avoid these conversations, but this can cause further problems – in particular, you may let small problems grow into big ones.
Preparation is the key to handling difficult conversations. Learn to give clear, actionable feedback, and use tools such as the Situation – Behavior – Impact technique to encourage your people to reflect on their behavior.
You may also want to role-play your conversation first, so that you feel confident in both your words and your body language.
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[FONT="]
Avoiding Communication Blunders and Misunderstandings
Communication errors can cause confusion, and damage your reputation.
In this article, we'll look at 10 common communication mistakes, and we'll discuss what you can do to avoid them.
[/FONT][FONT="]
[/FONT]
[FONT="] Mistake 1: Not Editing Your Work
Mistakes with spelling, tone, and grammar make you look careless. That's why it's essential to check all of your communications before you send them.
Don't rely on spell-checkers: they won't pick up words that are used incorrectly. Instead, proofread your work, and use a dictionary to look up any words that you're unsure about.
Mistake 2: Delivering Bad News by Email [/FONT]
[FONT="]
Would you announce layoffs to your team by email or IM? If you did, you could upset everyone!
Written communication channels don't allow you to soften difficult messages with nonverbal cues (such as body language), and they don't allow you to deal immediately with intense emotions.
If you need to deliver bad news, do this in person, and think carefully about how you can do it sensitively, so that you can convey your message but minimize long-term upset at the same time.
When you deliver a difficult message personally, you can pick up on signs that people may have misunderstood key parts of your message, or may have taken the information particularly badly. You can then take steps to clarify your message, or help people deal with the difficult news.
[/FONT]
[FONT="] Mistake 3: Avoiding Difficult Conversations[/FONT]
[FONT="]
At some point, you will need to give negative feedback. It's tempting to try to avoid these conversations, but this can cause further problems – in particular, you may let small problems grow into big ones.
Preparation is the key to handling difficult conversations. Learn to give clear, actionable feedback, and use tools such as the Situation – Behavior – Impact technique to encourage your people to reflect on their behavior.
You may also want to role-play your conversation first, so that you feel confident in both your words and your body language.
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