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Can You Hear Me Now?

This morning I was having a conversation with a client. I was on my cell phone and she was on hers. Where her project is located has sketchy cell service at best and when I see I have a signal and make a call I try not to move from that spot. Doesn’t always work though and often I’ll be talking and notice the other person is not responding. I wonder for how long was I going on and at what point did I lose them? That can be frustrating or humorous depending on the day.

Anyway, this morning I lost my client mid-way through our conversation. As I re-dialed her she drove up in her truck. Apparently she was right down the street suffering from her own minimal-signal-bar syndrome and had pulled over so as not to lose the call. Pretty funny the strategies we adopt to keep communicating in the 21st century. How did we live before cell phones? As she got out of her truck I could sense a feeling of inner relief that we could now resume our conversation in person without fear of having it “dropped”.

But even person to person the opportunity exists to have a miscommunication. I think about all the assumptions that get made in the course of my day – especially doing a construction project. Even having things drawn out on a set of blueprints or spelled out in a proposal doesn’t guarantee clear communication. I find myself being ultra cautious these days to make sure those things I’m communicating are understood by the other person. I also make sure I understand what is being said to me.

Sometimes blaming the cell phone is a satisfying albeit temporary excuse for poor communication. Ultimately though it comes down to the individual taking full responsibility for communicating clearly and effectively. I no longer point the finger and say it’s someone else’s bad for not getting it right. I make sure I got it right first now. I make sure that the words I’m using have meaning. That the meaning is understood. That we’re clear with what’s been communicated. I’m attempting to do this on both a business level and on a personal level.

I see the results of the bad communication. Endless litigation and wrangling…

I see the results of good communication. Enjoyable relationships.

The difference between bad & good? The difference is amazing.

Can you hear me now?

Yes I most certainly can. Thanks for listening.

J

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