The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Communication Breakdown

An ongoing series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that can indicate a partnership is in trouble.

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

The "Seven Cs" are the danger signs that indicate your business partnership, or any partnership for that matter, is in trouble.

First, and most important, in my view, is the issue of Communication Breakdown.

Although my list of Seven C's refers to the danger signs that partnerships are in trouble, the fact is that communication breakdowns abound in all relationships. Sometimes they are serious leading to downward spiraling such as in business partnerships and marriages where the stats of breakup are astronomical. Other times they are simple miscommunications of lesser impact that don't negatively affect the relationship.

As an experienced listener, sometimes I smile when I happen to hear people answer the question they think they heard and be replied to as if they answered the question that was asked. A recipe for trouble. Then the conversation twists and turns and no one is the wiser (but me!).

What can you do to avoid these breakdowns?

First and foremost be committed to open listening. Honestly, you don't have to be right all the time. Others have worthwhile opinions too. Don't set yourself up to judge. Put your agenda aside. You can always embrace it later. Allow the possibility that you have something to learn from someone else. Often what happens is that you may reject the idea expressed but it triggers yet another idea and another. Before you know it you've both expanded your options and have created new and exciting possibilities. Or you have respectfully listened to each other's viewpoints and feelings or cleared the air about something which needed to occur before moving on to the business itself.

In partnerships there is an additional vital element for good communication. That is a commitment to the relationship no matter what the disagreements. It goes without saying that trust is a given.

Now that you have the mindset, you can use the following techniques.

• Be open and honest with your declarations.

• Repeat back what you think you heard for clarification.

• Ask questions to be sure.

  
  Did you mean...?

  
  Are you saying....?

  
  Did I make myself clear?

  
  Can I/you say that another way?

  
  Did I hurt your feelings?

  
  Have I offended you?

  
  That's a great idea!

  
  Thank you for pointing that out.

  
  I appreciate you saying that.

  
  I never thought of it that way.

  
  That's brilliant!

When communication is clear, you've taken the most important step to preserve your partnership and relationships.

About The Author

Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D. is principal of Next Level Business and Professional Coaching. She coaches Professionals and Business Partners and teaches teleclasses on techniques to break through barriers to the next level. Dr. Lehavi offers a complimentary coaching session so you can experience how coaching can work for you. Contact Dr. Lehavi at Dorene@CoachingforYourNextLevel.com or on the web at Http://www.CoachingforYourNextLevel.com. Subscribe to Mastering Your Next Level monthly e-newsletter at http://www.coachingforyournextlevel.com/newsletter.html

dorene@nextlevelpartnership.com

---

Getting Your Employees Attention Back to Work

It is 9:00 am on a Monday morning. Do you... Read More

Why Would Anyone Do That in My Meeting?

Imagine that you open a meeting by saying, "We need... Read More

Encouraging Behavior That Gets Results

You're the boss, and you have every reason to feel... Read More

5 Questions Great Managers Ask (and they arent hard!)

However hard we try, we seem to make life more... Read More

How to Delegate Effectively

ACCOUNTABILITY: Delegation is not complete unless subordinates are held accountable... Read More

Let the Intern Do It - Affordable Help for Your Business

Do you have more projects than time? Help might be... Read More

Top Ten Tips About People Management

To get the best results you have to be very... Read More

Cultural Differences: Making it Work Virtually

Working virtually adds a whole new dimension to the phrase... Read More

25 Great Ways to Find the Right People and Not Break the Bank

Are you trying to hire dozens of hourly workers or... Read More

Change and Performance - Training May Not Be The Answer

Introducing new products or services, bringing new people on board,... Read More

5 Awesome Actions of Highly Creative Leaders!

How many times have you wondered why you are unable... Read More

Before You Head Off, Make Sure You Know Where You Are Going - The Importance of Clear Objectives.

The title of this article sounds like simple advice, but... Read More

Rethinking Workplace Security: How the Rules Have Changed

The workplace has traditionally been a dangerous place. Very early... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management: Specialisation or Generalisation?

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Resistance - How to Handle It

Do you ever meet with resistance from other people -... Read More

Turbo Charge Your Career With The Most Powerful Leadership Tool Of All: The Leadership Talk Part 3

To develop and deliver a great Leadership Talk, you must... Read More

Five Steps to Better Employee Management

Hiring employees is a huge responsibility. Before hiring anyone, be... Read More

Keep Your Good Workers by Building Good Leaders

A recent report from the American Hospital Association's Commission on... Read More

Middle-Aged Managers, the Forgotten Digital Divide

The digital divide is defined by the role computers play... Read More

Hire People For What They Do Best

I recently flew from Seattle to Atlanta, I realized, just... Read More

Sending Documents Through Email? Dont Get Burned by Metadata!

During a recent seminar I gave located in the suburbs... Read More

The Role of the Machine Metaphor in Mixed-initiative Organizational Leadership

"Can This Marriage be Saved?" So reads the title of... Read More

Build Your Business (On A Shoestring): Hire a College Intern

Starting up a new venture or business can be one... Read More

How to Reject a Job Applicant

A Nightmare That Really HappenedOver 10 years ago, when I... Read More

Your Blueprint For Business Success

Before you start your own business one of the first... Read More

Selective Job Cuts Often Benefits Firm More Than Broad Layoffs Over Long Term

It is difficult to pick up a newspaper or listen... Read More

Take the Easy Route - Delegate

It was 2.30 am. It was cold and dark and... Read More

Never Punish Yourself or Others for Failures

If you want to find success in various ramifications, be... Read More

Preparing a Budget

Ok, you say, I know I need a budget, but... Read More

Why We Judge

Judgment is the process of forming an opinion of something... Read More

Innovation Management ? The Need For Knowledge Managers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Measuring Creativity, DIY style

Creativity measurement is often required in order to benchmark existing... Read More

Minimising Conflict With Effective Communication

Did you know there are 5 types of... Read More