by Lee__ on 07-01-2010 at 09:12 PM (166 Views)
http://www.rletc.com/entry.php?365-C...dience-(Part-I)
What's your goal?
1. Do you want to spit something out and say, "there, I said it"?
2. Do you want to leave 'em guessing? Leave yourself a loophole or an escape hatch?
3. Or do you want to convey some information to another person or group of people in an effective manner that may actually effect change of some sort?
The answer matters.
The first one (1) is common to petulant teenagers and frustrated, unsupported and/or untrained managers. I'm not sure what anyone really gets out of it other than to check off an item on a to do list or to get the chance to say "so there" and "nanny nanny boo boo."
The second one (2) is a good one for lawyers and magicians. I worked as a legal secretary for a couple of years and the first few months I was there, the lawyers would say, "Would you please stop editing and clarifying our documents? Your communication skills are excellent, but we WANT to be vague and confusing. We're doing it on PURPOSE." A significant learning moment for me there. Sometimes people use our language to confuse, rather than clarify. Unfortunately, that second one is also a commonly used one for people who are themselves confused or uncertain. They're doing it on purpose too, only with their fingers crossed.
The third one (3) is for the rest of us. The majority of us...the majority of the time. Most of us, when bothering to communicate, want to actually communicate something to someone and do it effectively with a good result. If that's the case, you might want to consider putting a little thought into your communication...like who are you communicating to?
Communication is NOT one-size fits all.
And that old adage you learned in Sunday school, the Golden Rule..."Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," is not so golden when it comes to communicating with people. All people simply do not receive information the way you do. Pounding them over the head with your preferred communication style when they are just not hearing you is an exercise in mutual frustration.
George Bernard Shaw is supposed to have said, "Do not do unto others as you would that they should do unto you. Their tastes may not be the same." He was a playwright. The man knew something about language and communication.
So if your goal is to convey some information to another person or group of people in an effective manner that may actually effect change of some sort, then you might want to tailor your message to the "tastes" of the recipients. You might want to...read your audience.
Anyone disagree?
Anyone agree?
Anyone have any ideas on how to read your audience?
Lay it on me.
Updated 01-05-2011 at 03:15 AM by Lee__
Tags: communication, personality tests, psi shrinkers, team
Categories Communication
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