Are You Comunicating or Just Being Heard?

How often do you find yourself feeling surprised when a team member or colleague reacts in an unexpected way to something you say or have asked them to do? Do you find yourself thinking: “They just didn’t?get?it!”

If this sounds familiar, then I have news for you. Maybe it’s not that they didn’t “get it” – it’s more likely that you didn’t properly communicate it!

Let’s get into it.

What do I mean by this?

There is a very big difference between being heard – and being understood. Communication is not simply about the transmission of information, it’s about the reception and understanding of it too. Everyone has different ways in how they like to receive information and, if you add to this the complexities of working with colleagues from different countries and cultures, it’s easy for communication to break down.

With businesses growing globally and teams working closely together increased the chances of colleagues whose first language is different to your own in working together.? Given that global team members can have a hard time understanding one another even when they’re all speaking the same language, it should come as no surprise that communicating with business associates who speak different languages can cause confusion and misunderstanding.

There are challenges and pitfalls when communicating across cultures and how easily misunderstandings can occur. We have all been there.

In the Netherlands, within the works council alone, there can be any number of misunderstandings all leading to confusion and frustration. I’m just using the works council as an example, as that is a perfect scenario of having different cultures at the table with one goal in mind. But that goal could be hard to achieve if the communication breaks down.

How can we be better communicators and STOP the breakdown?

You must be adaptable. I KNOW easier said than done, well maybe not.

Let’s have a look.

Let me start with a really positive story. One of my clients, who is originally from the United States and accepted a senior leadership position in a any in the Netherlands. ?He had experience of working in the US and accustomed to doing business in the international environments. But there was brief moment when he wanted to join the works council of the company. This was an area he was not accustomed to.? Besides the business of the works council, he also had to communicate with other colleagues. Obvious right. In the works council, similar to a union in the United States. Imagine having to make colleagues from different backgrounds understand what you’re trying to communicate, even though you may be speaking the same language.

Being from New York the business community is well-accustomed to welcoming colleagues from other cultures and the pace of both speech and business is fast.

Fortunately, my client is an excellent example of an adaptable leader and is mindful about the regional cultures and adjusts the way to communicate to ensure everyone understands each other.

It kind of sounds simple right?

Being a flexible communicator is an asset in any environment, professional or personal – but for many people it is not something that comes naturally. For some, maybe. But the good news, it can be learned. It takes a conscious and concerted effort to adapt their natural communication style. When there is no attempt of flexible communication often the meetings end up resorting to the talking LOUD .... to no good result!

The particular Ieader I mentioned is often the example I use when coaching other clients on communication challenges. Over time, this skill was developed and mastered that it is now natural.

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Adaptability is a core skill of communication. To be able to understand the other person’s perspective, and retain your core values through this understanding, you will be well equipped to handle any conversation and always have a win win outcome, even with different opinions.

Did you ever have a conversation end, and you felt drained? Well, that does not have to be the result. It was probably an interaction where one was not understanding the other, or hearing in another way.

1.The way you communicate is your responsibility. It’s easy to get frustrated when people don’t understand the point you are trying to make, It is your responsibility as a communicator to get your point across clearly and effectively so everyone in the room understands.

If you always hold that basic principle of your communication style you will learn to naturally adapt your message and delivery.

2. Do your research of the people you will be communicating with. Find out as much as you can. If you know there will be people attending with a cultural background that you’re not familiar with. Do your research.

Try to find out as much as possible about the cultures, people and language you will be communicating with.

3. Create a positive and inclusive environment

Put people at ease, especially with those who speak a different language to you. People tend to be self-conscious even if they have a good level of fluency.

4. Slow down your pace and keep it simple

Sometime less is more. You don’t have e to be wordy in your communication, you have to be understood.

Avoid slangs and idioms as these are generally culturally specific and watch your body language as certain gestures and body language can be positive in one culture, and very offensive in another. Make sure body language you use is mutually understood and respectful.

5. Check understanding

Great communicators operate in ‘receive’ mode. Always look for verbal and nonverbal cues that your communication is being understood in the way it was intended.

These are just five things to get you going on the path to be a better communicator.

Here is something to think about the next time you are in a meeting, having a discussion...Are you being heard or are you being understood!

Let’s continue the conversation, if you want to know about workshops for your company, reach out.