Have you noticed that some people seem to stop listening even before you start talking? Do you avoid approaching some people unless you absolutely have too? Improve your chance for conversational success by considering the following ten factors before starting your next conversation.
1. Consider the setting. Where will the conversation take place? Is it public or private? Are there other things going on that will be distracting? Is the setting approapriate for the topic?
2. Consider the personality, gender, culture, age, etc. of the other person. If the person is different from you in these respects, you will want to adapt your style of communication to respect these differences.
3. Consider the internal influences (emotions, bias, etc.) on how you approach the conversation. What is your motivation? What baggage are you bringing with you as you talk with this person? Recognize it so that it won't get in your way.
4. Consider the internal influences (emotions, bias, etc.) on how the other person will receive the message. How might your history of communication with this person impact the way they respond to your approach? Will they be distrustful, anxious, humiliated? Your past words and actions will impact whether they will be receptive to you and your message.
5. Consider the interest level/level of importance of the other person. How much information does this person need to know? Is the topic relevant to their work or do they just need a basic awareness of it? Would verbal bullet points work better than an in-depth report? Be careful not to overwhelm someone with how much you know. They may think you are just trying to impress them or boast about your knowledge.
6. Consider the language needs (familiarity with topic, jargon, educational level, etc.) of the other person. Are you using words the person is familiar with or talking over their head? Are you talking in a demeaning way by "dumbing down" your word choices?
7. Consider what you want to accomplish by initiating the conversation. Keep your goal and the message in the front of your mind. If you need to relay information make sure that the person understands the information. If you need to address a challenge, make sure you address the challenge without making it a personal battle.
8. Consider what the other person might need to receive from the conversation. Stick to the information the other person needs. Don't try to become friends or talk about personal stuff if the other person isn't responding positively to that direction of your conversation.
9. Consider the long-term impact of the words, tone, and gestures they use. You may be having a bad day, but the other person may take your comments or attitude personally. That will impact future conversations. If you've had a bad day and said something inappropriate go back to the person to apologize and briefly explain that you were having a bad day and wrongly took it out on that person.
10. Consider the external factors (noise, distractions, setting, etc.) that will impact how the message is relayed and received. Again we return to setting. Make sure that you initiate and participate in conversations that provide the best environment for a successful exchange of ideas and information.
Copyright 2005 Donna Doyon. All rights reserved. You are free to reprint this story as long as you include complete attribution, including a live web site link.
The attribution should read:
By Donna Doyon, author of GLOW: Renew Your Spirit and Release Your Inner Beauty. Please visit Donna's web site at http://www.donnadoyon.com/ for information on how you can say "goodbye" to self-defeating attitudes and behaviors and "hello" to a more successful, balanced, and joy-filled life!'
Donna Doyon, Activities Coordinator for Your Virtual Retreat is the author of GLOW: Renew Your Spirit & Release Your Inner Beauty. She offers information, inspiration and encouragement to people who want to say goodbye to self defeating attitudes and behaviors and hello to greater success, healthier relationships and more joyful living. Get inspired at her website: http://www.donnadoyon.com
Workplace safety is important to all businesses for ethical, legal... Read More
As the world of manufacturing has become increasingly competitive, managers... Read More
No figure in history is like General Patton. He was... Read More
Introduction:Working with teams, whether as leader of a single team... Read More
If you own a franchise you would be wise to... Read More
The people in your team may feel a bit uncomfortable... Read More
Consensus is the appropriate decision strategy for the most important... Read More
As a manager, your employees will come to you with... Read More
More and more I hear people misunderstanding what someone else... Read More
The Sales Director had organised a great conference; the venue... Read More
In days past, loyalty was a given. The worker in... Read More
As I work with clients to strengthen their teams and... Read More
It's a great sunny day so it's time to get... Read More
We live in very progressive times, one only has to... Read More
Feedback:Most experts agree both types; constructive and positive feedback are... Read More
I'm often asked, "Why is my team always fighting fires... Read More
In the constantly changing world of Call Centers, asking agents... Read More
One of the greatest challenges a coaching manager has is... Read More
Someone once said - "Feedback is the breakfast of champions."... Read More
A college football team has it. A corporation has it.... Read More
It's not true in every organization, but it is true... Read More
The second in a series of 2 articles giving a... Read More
A follow-up companion reader to The 17 Indisputable Laws of... Read More
On the trail in Northern Canada "Marche" was the word... Read More
For a brief time, I tried to sell life insurance.... Read More
The rise of the internet has given businesses a new... Read More
A Successful Team is built around mateship, around respect for... Read More
Giving gifts to your co-workers or your employees can be... Read More
Several years ago I took an assignment as a Manager... Read More
The world of work has changed. It used to be... Read More
The effects of conflict in the workplace are widespread and... Read More
Teams are often useful in situations where the task cannot... Read More
12 Tips and Reminders for Team Members To Enjoy Their... Read More
Teams, teams, teams. They're all the rage these days. Whether... Read More
"Asking questions can be a means of establishing authority, fulfilling... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
This sports cliche is a memorable phrase that reminds people... Read More
No figure in history is like General Patton. He was... Read More
Effective and sustainable teambuilding is necessary in today's marketplace where... Read More
Turbulent TwistersYou've read about it in the headlines and experienced... Read More
Most believe that leadership is an innate quality that some... Read More
When was the last time you spent excessive time and... Read More
Managing a small business continues to become more challenging. However,... Read More
If you own a franchise you would be wise to... Read More
In a recent group coaching session, a client mentioned that... Read More
Internal business structures have been radically transformed over the past... Read More
The effects of conflict in the workplace are widespread and... Read More
One of the greatest challenges a coaching manager has is... Read More
Maybe you find yourself in a new team environment and... Read More
Abstract: Based on significant research, Entelechy has defined characteristics of... Read More
A lot of effort has been carried out in the... Read More
In days past, loyalty was a given. The worker in... Read More
Franchisees of a particular franchise must get along in order... Read More
Trainers, please picture this... You are presenting in a new... Read More
I'm often asked, "Why is my team always fighting fires... Read More
Several years ago I took an assignment as a Manager... Read More
A follow-up companion reader to The 17 Indisputable Laws of... Read More
Reed Employment made a survey of their clients and compiled... Read More
Ever watched a really brilliant idea meet with resistance and... Read More
Let's look at the detail of giving feedback. Whether you... Read More
When leaders, consultants and managers require ideas, they automatically tend... Read More
Picture yourself entering a corporate meeting, team meeting, or business... Read More
1. Involve them. Many employees want to be involved in... Read More
As I work with clients to strengthen their teams and... Read More
The Dance of ConflictWhen faced with the prospect of meeting... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Team Building |