Communication Breakdown (take 2)

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw

How often do we get stuck & create problems for ourselves because we cannot communicate effectively?

Maybe it is because of language barriers or our upbringing or our culture or simply our personality.

I often get stuck & create problems for myself because effective communication is hard.

This happens to me with Ball Project partners, organizations & teams I work with. It is painful to be a part of & to witness.

It is a struggle to be understood. It is a struggle to understand. But these are good & necessary struggles.

No one is perfect at communicating. Everyone can improve. Slow & easy wins the race in this case. Sometimes even incremental progress in effective communication can make a giant improvement in the quality of a relationship & life.

I, obviously, am no expert at communicating. But I am working on it.

Here are a couple things I try to keep in mind so that I can communicate effectively:
BE KIND
“Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Plato
“Kind words can be short & easy to speak, but their echoes can be truly endless.” – Mother Teresa
Love without truth lies; truth without love kills.
Watch your tone. Don’t be harsh or curt.
ACTIVELY LISTEN
“We have two ears & one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” – Epictetus
Looking at a speaker is a powerful way to help you listen & let the speaker feel heard.
Listening is a lost art & honestly the better half of communicating.

Read This Before Our Next Meeting by Al Pittampalli is a great quick read on how to have better meetings & better communication in your organization/team/family.