What do you do if your problem-solving and decision-making processes lack effective communication?

1 Identify your audience

Before you communicate, you need to know who your audience is and what they need to know. Your audience may include different stakeholders, such as customers, colleagues, managers, or partners, who have different perspectives, interests, and expectations. You need to tailor your message to suit your audience's level of knowledge, language, and style. For example, if you are communicating with a technical expert, you may use more jargon and details, but if you are communicating with a non-expert, you may need to simplify and explain your terms. You also need to consider the tone and purpose of your communication, whether it is to inform, persuade, or collaborate.

2 Choose your medium

The medium is the channel or tool that you use to communicate, such as email, phone, video call, or face-to-face meeting. The medium can affect the clarity, speed, and feedback of your communication. You need to choose the medium that best suits your message, audience, and situation. For example, if you need to communicate a complex or sensitive issue, you may prefer a face-to-face meeting or a video call, where you can use verbal and non-verbal cues to convey your meaning and emotions. However, if you need to communicate a simple or routine issue, you may use email or phone, where you can save time and document your communication.

3 Structure your message

The structure of your message is the way that you organize and present your information, ideas, and feedback. A clear and logical structure can help you communicate effectively and avoid confusion or misunderstanding. You need to structure your message according to the problem-solving or decision-making process that you are following. For example, if you are defining the problem, you may use the 5W+H method (who, what, when, where, why, and how) to describe the problem, its causes, effects, and scope. If you are generating alternatives, you may use a pros and cons list to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each option. If you are implementing solutions, you may use a SMART method (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to set goals and action plans.

4 Listen actively

Listening is a key component of communication, especially when you are problem-solving or decision-making with others. Listening actively means paying attention to what the other person is saying, showing interest and empathy, asking questions and clarifying doubts, and providing feedback and acknowledgment . Listening actively can help you understand the other person's perspective, needs, and emotions, as well as build rapport and trust. Listening actively can also help you avoid errors, conflicts, or assumptions that may affect your problem-solving or decision-making process.

5 Review and follow up

Communication is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires review and follow up. Reviewing means checking the effectiveness and accuracy of your communication, such as whether your message was clear, complete, and consistent, and whether your audience understood and responded to your message. Following up means taking action and providing feedback based on your communication, such as whether you implemented the solutions, achieved the goals, or solved the problem. Reviewing and following up can help you improve your communication skills, as well as learn from your problem-solving and decision-making outcomes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?