Communication Problems
When we don’t communicate well in our teams, what do you think is the real problem?
The options are:
- Style differences
- Low frequency
- Inappropriate content
- Lack of skill
The truth is, it’s style! Different styles can get in the way of effective communication because people have different needs that either are or aren’t met during conversation, and this can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and more. So is that it? Are we completely helpless when it comes to communicating with people who have a different style than we do?
Well, no. It’s important to know that dialog is a discipline. There are skills involved and often times teams must practice to get their dialog to make sure their message is heard the way it is intended.
Effective Communication Aspects
Two important aspects of dialog are Advocacy and Inquiry.
Advocacy: This involves putting ideas forward with the intent of revealing your mental models and helping others understand your thinking.
Inquiry: Ask questions with the desire to understand the other person’s reasoning.
Another vital part of successful team communication is understanding Directing and Informing.
Directing: This involves a task/time focus and gives structure. We often associate it with telling, asking, and urging others.
Informing: This is a process/motivation focus to evoke, draw forth, inspire, seek input, inform, explain, describe, or inquire about a problem or piece of information.
There is so much room for misunderstanding and misinterpretation that it is vital to understand how to communicate more now than ever. With more and more teams working remotely, communication is truly key.
To learn more about Advocacy, Inquiry, Directing, and Informing, check out David Hutchens’s webinar, Go Communicate! Exploring and Improving How Your Teams Interact.
