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How Do You Minimize Communication Breakdowns?

by | Jun 13, 2017

Clarity. Make your content understandable.

A recent example of a self-induced clarity breakdown – I was starving and too busy to prepare a meal. I asked my son to make me a quick snack: peanut butter and banana on toast.

After my first bite I thought, “Oh no… the peanut butter must be rancid! This tastes terrible!”

What I wanted: One piece of toast, 1 teaspoon of peanut butter, half a banana sliced on top.

What I received: Two pieces of toast, 4 teaspoons of peanut butter, a bunch of red pepper flakes on the peanut butter, and half a banana sliced in between. This meal wasn’t spoiled. It just tasted horrible.

What’s the problem? I was not clear in what I wanted.

Three strategies to create clarity when you communicate at your board meetings, with your team, and ordering a sandwich:

Clarity Tip #1: Know what you want.

Clarity Tip #2: Assume nothing.

Clarity Tip #3: Avoid jargon.

Bonus Clarity Tip #3.5: Don’t make us work hard to figure out what you want, especially on email. If you are arranging a meeting – put the details at the front end.

Example email —

What: A strategy session

When: Tuesday, June 13 at 4:00pm CST

Where: Office conference room on 5th floor

Why: To review our 6-month projections

Make it easy for your audience to understand you. Be clear.

© 123RF Stock Photo

© Karen Cortell Reisman, M.S., author of 3 books and President of Speak For Yourself®, works with decision makers on how to speak with gravitas. It’s all in how you speak for yourself. Karen also speaks about her cousin, Albert Einstein, in a message about hope, resilience and brassieres.

Read more at www.SpeakForYourself.com/blog.

Did you know that we also work 1:1 with decision makers on overcoming the fear of public speaking? Click here: https://www.karencortellreisman.com/seminar-what-i-didnt-say.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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