Think back to times when you gave up on a conversation or felt that you just weren’t getting through to a colleague, a friend or even a family member. It can be frustrating and discouraging.
Whether it’s in a relationship, the workplace or business interactions, effective communication is important. If you want to express yourself clearly and you want others to understand you, here are some common communication faux pas to avoid.
Crossing your arms and leaning back: Oh the nonverbal cues we give. Body language relies on your body movement, facial expression and posture to get your message across. Crossing your arms or leaning back, for example, can convey defensiveness or disinterest.
We show we’re interested and actively listening when we lean forward and engage in the conversation.
Speaking loudly and quickly: Tone matters as does vocal variety. If you’re shouting and speaking quickly, it can come across as insensitive and put your listener on the defensive. Stay calm and speak clearly to get your point across.
Bringing up the past: Rehashing history often sets a defensive tone. Focus on the issue at hand. There’s no need to revert to discussions that have already passed.
Defending feelings or judging someone else’s feelings: Feelings are neither right nor wrong. Avoid defending them. Try openly sharing your emotions using “I” statements, e.g. “I feel unsure when …” This keeps the focus on you as the speaker and avoids pointing fingers or placing blame on someone else.
Information overload: Bombarding others with excessive content overwhelms them. Stick to the topic. Be concise and share only information that’s relevant to the topic. Staying focused on the subject helps to keep the conversation on track.
A good practice is what we refer to in writing as the “inverted pyramid.” Start with the most important information first — who, what, when, where, why and how.
Infrequent and inconsistent communication: When you communicate regularly, particularly in a business setting, you remove any doubt or misunderstanding in what you’re trying to achieve or the message you’re delivering. It also ensures your audience stays engaged. This is important, especially if you have a goal to achieve. Update regularly even if it’s to say nothing has changed.
Effective communication is a skill that can be learned and refined. Avoid these mistakes, practice being calm, open and concise in your communication and you’ll foster stronger relationships and enhance professional connections.
Faux pas: A significant error or mistake
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