So Hard to Communicate
From the PMI Global Insights Blog
by Cameron McGaughy,
James Turchick
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I saw this potshots comic today and liked it, so I'm sharing it.
Why do many people (myself included) find it so hard to communicate? I actually find it pretty easy to broadcast (as you can see from my posts), but true interactive communication is difficult. I'm not sure if it's the risk of exposing my feelings, if its a disconnect of values with the person I'm communicating with, if it's my attitude, or if I just don't add anything of value to the person I'm communicating with. Or is could be I'm just overthinking everything :)
Regardless, I frequently challenge my own ability to communicate. Granted, I thought I was a good communicator until I had children, but I found that what I thought I communicated clearly, was not received clearly.
My path to green for this is to keep on trying, Use active listening and watch for body language signs, paraphrasing back what the person said, and accept that I don't have to respond to everything said to me. I can acknowledge with a smile or the nodding of my head.
Anybody else find communication more difficult that it should be?
Get your most burning project management questions answered in “Ask the Experts” at PMI Global Conference. Sign up for a specific time at: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090c44a9ad23a7fb6-askthe5 or just stop by.
Times Dave is scheduled for:
Saturday October 28: 3:00PM - 4:30 PM
Sunday October 29: 10:00 11:50 AM, 3:00 5:00 PM
Monday October 30: 1:00 – 2:30 PM
David L. Davis PMP, PgMP, PBA
Senior Project Manager OhioHealth
[email protected]
Posted
by
Dave Davis
on: October 16, 2017 09:13 AM |
Permalink
Comments (10)
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Very good, thanks for sharing
Dear sir you are very right. I also find myself difficult to communicate. If a person is more socialize, he will be a good communicator.
Karen Chovan
CEO| Enviro Integration Strategies
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
I find it depends on the situation...but 100% agree with the children thing. We also have to acknowledge where others are at with their knowledge and comprehension of a situation...we can't assume they will understand everything we are communicating to them - ask them to paraphrase back too, just as you would for them!
Dave Davis
Senior Project Manager| Cincinnati Children's Hospital
Springboro, Oh., United States
Karen,
complete agreement, especially in asking them to paraphrase back - especially if you are in an emergency mode and asking people to do a non-standard task.
Rami Kaibni
Community Champion
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten Associates
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I agree with what you’ve mentioned David.
Effective communication takes time to develop. Many people think that they are resonsible for what they say but not for what others understand which is wrong. They should be responsible to ensure their message is clearly delivered and received.
Vincent Guerard
Coach - Trainer - Speaker - Advisor| Freelance
Mont-Royal, Quebec, Canada
Thanks David,
True communication is difficult, the right wording in communication is difficult and understanding might be different, specially in multicultural context.
Agree David. I too thought that I was good at communicating until I have children of my own. But I learn a great deal from my kid on improving in my communication skills and adapt it with adults. Is not just what we say, its also about our body language.
Stéphane Parent
Self Employed / Semi-retired| Leader Maker
Prince Edward Island, Canada
I've been in Toastmasters for more than ten years and I still have to work at making communication effective.
A great post David, thank you.
Lest we forget..... “O, to be sure, we laugh less and play less and wear uncomfortable disguises like adults, but beneath the costume is the child we always are, whose needs are simple, whose daily life is still best described by fairy tales.” - Leo Rosten
Blake Pawlikowski
Founder | President | Lead Consultant| Pawski Consulting
Huntley, Il, United States
Communication is not something that can be perfected as the audience is ever changing and influenced by things you can't perceive.
Julie, I absolutely love your Rosten quote.
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