It’s not just people who miscommunicate

It’s not just people who miscommunicate.  I was chatting with a good friend and colleague today who was busy trying to explain her so called ‘absence’ to another woman in business. She was trying to explain why she had been dubbed “MIA.”

The other woman was saying “But you have not responded to my email, thanks! I mustn’t be such a priority huh?”  My Colleague was trying to explain, “My email has been down for almost 2 weeks I had no idea who emailed what, it’s been a nightmare, I am so sorry.”  What a common scenario.  Except in business it can mean the difference between getting the deal and losing it.

What had actually happened was that the woman whose email had fallen over had done so because of a short cut her PA had made. When setting up a new email address for a new staffer she had taken a “short cut”.  Getting as technical as I can and am able; let’s just say 2 different servers were involved and they simply did not speak to each other.  Another description, miscommunication on a technological scale!

The outcome? In short, complete chaos. It is no different when there is a communication breakdown between people, not servers.  Chaos!!  One person can be completely oblivious to the breakdown for a while.  Not even knowing that the electronic communication world seems to continue along oblivious to our real world.  Also that we are judged just as much by our absence as by our presence.

What can we learn from this?

  • Don’t take short cuts
  • Check in regularly with people, don’t rely only on technology to do it for you
  • Don’t take things personally

For tips, free resources and information on our upcoming Master classes check out our website www.teamology.com.au

A quick shout out for all of the support and interest in our last 2014 Master class “The Art Of Difficult Conversations”

It is now fully booked so we will run this again next year in 2015. If you’re interested and have missed out this time, let us know and we can ensure you get an early bird seat on the next Master Class.

Until next time, Care, Connect and be a Courageous Communicator.  Let’s change the world we live in one conversation at a time.

 

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