Why Being a ‘Good Communicator’ Isn’t Enough

In the business world, you listen to how important it is to be a “good communicator”, but what does that mean? Challenge that concept completely. Communication is not about being good or bad in that, but is effective or ineffective.

Being an effective communicator does not always mean well -spoken or charismatic bees. Effective communication voice between what was said, what was heard and what they were. If those three elements are synchronized, it will have effective communication that produces results.

Related: effective communication means business success

The impact of ineffective communication

Companies suffer when communication is ineffective, since it creates misalignment, involuntary conflict and restlessness while triggering self -preservation behavior, which can lead to high rotation and lost opportunities.

The myth behind “good” communication

A frequent wrong idea is that some people are simply “naturally good” to communicate. Sincere, communication is a learned ability, similar to financial education or leadership. If you lack the right tools, you cannot expect to communicate effective. If you do not inform you and do not consider how others receive information, even your most refined messages can fall.

This is especially precise when you have several teams full of different communication styles. As some people are analytical and detailed oriented, and the ethers prefer a general description or a synopsis of letters, leaders tend to communicate in the style they prefer, which can isolate certain people trying to lead.

I mean this as the golden rule and the platinum communication rule. The golden rule is to treat others the way You Because to be treated, while the platinum rule claims to treat others the way They Because to be treated. This is a game change that makes all the difference when it comes to communicating with your team.

Communication breakdown

While working with companies in several industries, ineffective communication is almost always at the root of operational or cultural dysfunction. A recent example of this is when I noticed that a client struggled to gather a team member for a weekend volunteer initiative. The owner considered the volunteer opportunity as a significant participation of the community, while his team member saw him as a more unpaid work. The owner assumed that his employee was vague, while thinking that his boss was undoubtedly. How did each of them have such different points of view? She tried to motivate him based on what motivated her, not what she resonated with him.

This is in the heart of much of the conflict that occurs in the workplace: the people who speak fit each other and see the same situation through different lenses. While it is certainly possible that two people have different perspectives that are valid, without effective communication, those perspectives will collide instead of align.

Related: How to avoid the thesis of common communication errors in the workplace

Emotional luggage

Emotions are another reason why communication is often ineffective. Ortentimes, people interpret the emotional meaning with what we listen to, especially if feedback feels critical. The emotional element can lead to misinterpretation and increase the conflict. It is crucial for leaders to keep under control, accept comments in the spirit in which Meean was and the creature where a positive and negative feedback is seen a gift instead of a threat.

Technology

Technology is a double -edged sword that has changed the way we communicate. On the positive side, it allows us to meet people where they are some preferred text messages, others loosen and some appreciate the face -to -face conversations or a phone call. Being considered with preferred media is another way to apply the platinum rule.

The disadvantage of technology is noise. With the increase in communication channels (email, text, equipment, whatsapp, DMS, it is much easier to lose track of conversations, lose key messages or create confusion. You can lead to scattered equipment threads in applications without clear monitoring or responsibility. To avoid this potential negative impact, companies must be intentional on communication platforms and establish expectations.

Build an effective communication culture

To promote a team environment and a culture of effective communication, companies must begin by creating an environment where no idea is a “bad” idea, and comments are always welcome from any team member. Two practical strategies that I tend to recommend are:

1. “Yes, and …” – On the other hand or “Yes, but …”, which closes people, uses “yes and …” to keep the conversation open and constructive. For example, “yes, and I would like to understand more about your perspective on the decision.”

2. DISCS EVALUATIONS AND TRAINING – Investing in emotional intelligence and communication tools for your team can make a world of differentiation. I use disc evaluations to help teams understand behavioral and motivational differences, allowing people to adapt their approach and connect more effective.

Related: 9 best practices to improve your communication skills and become a more effective leader

When communication is effective, it builds a team full of clarity, trust and alignment, along with a base where innovation and collaboration thrive. The most important thing, gives everyone, from leadership to the front line, a shared language to move towards success together. The next time you are concerned if your communication is “good” or “bad”, stop and restart: Is it effective? Is the way it intended? If not, it could be time to readjust your approach.