I loved cartoons when I was a child. Still do. Have you ever noticed how simple communication appears in an animated world? I suppose that’s part of the make-believe magic. The Jetsons were as much a Saturday morning staple in my house as Malt-O-Meal. I loved watching George walk Astro on the moving sidewalk or […]
The NERVE of Some Words! (Communication Derailed – Part 2)
Tony Jeary has said, “Life is a series of presentations.” Indeed, we spend most waking hours attempting to influence or persuade our friends, children, spouses, bosses, coworkers, clients, opponents, even strangers. In our quest, we quickly learn that not any old communication will suffice. Persuasion hinges on credibility. Butchering the English language will gut our […]
Communication Derailed — Usage of Incorrect Words / Phrases
Annoying distractions derail communication. One of the most abrupt communication stoppers in my view is a misused word or phrase. Such sends my mind into joke-writing mode every time. Obviously, I am then no longer listening to the speaker’s intended message. Here are a few true examples, which I have experienced: EXAMPLE 1: One of […]
To Be or Not to Be? — Depends on the Context!
Context is crucial, not only in communication but life itself. Ani DiFranco has said, “Taken out of context I must seem so strange.” Without opining in any way about Ms. DiFranco personally, she makes a valid point. This came to mind the other night as I searched every nook and cranny of our bedroom for […]
No Tomatoes!
We take communication for granted. Why not? After all, we have been communicating since birth (actually before birth – just ask any mother who has been kicked from the inside out)! Our gut tells us that communication is not rocket science; in its simplest form, one person transmits a message to another person . . […]
The Greek Salesman and a Yankee Union Boss
Perhaps we most often miscommunicate when we get the proverbial “cart before the horse,” but need to get “heart before the discourse”! Communication is first and foremost about relationship. Why then do we typically launch straight away into the factual content of our message, and marvel at the recipient’s rebuff? This is not a new […]
Gussy Your Communication
Communication begins the moment you enter a room . . . before you utter a word. What are your “get-ups,” grooming and “get-alongs” announcing when you walk in? * Do you want to be there? * Are you confident? * Are you outward focused or are you self-centered? No need to answer . . . […]
Communication Cadavers
The words were carefully chosen. You spoke them warmly. Yet your colleague misinterpreted the message. Why? Check the pulse of your communication . . . It may be a cadaver. In a prior post, we discussed Dr. Albert Mehrabian‘s findings that in face-to-face conversation the emotional or attitudinal message perceived is 7% words, 38% tone […]
Technological Communication Should Never Replace Face Time!
Technology has given us the “luxury” (or curse) of 24-7 accessibility. Unfortunately, this has not improved our communication; technology has worsened it. We too often”hide” behind technology by habitually texting and e-mailing. While those modes of communication are not bad per se, our misuse thereof gets problematic. I have fallen off my technologic bicycle more […]
We Must EQ the Tone of our Communication
My mother used to warn, “‘It’s not what you said; it’s how you said it!” My wife echoes the admonition to this day. (I remain a student of communication.) Ironically, I understand how my mother and wife feel. People have spoken to me with a boombox bass or an about-to-throw-a-piston-rod treble, their volume pushing woofers […]
