I was talking to my good friend Debra on Wednesday. We talked about all sorts of things, but there was one very important point that we expected to communicate with each other. I said it and she acknowledged it.
It wasn't until Thursday morning that I wondered if she had really heard me. This was an important issue and though she acknowledged me when I said it, there was no emotional reaction to the information.
I called Debra and asked her if I was talking in the Charlie Brown Teacher Voice to her. You remember that voice, (I think it was actually a brass instrument with a mute on it played by a talented musician.) Wa Wa Wa WA Wah Wa. I hear you talking but you can't come in!
Debra admitted, perhaps I was WaWah'ing. We laughed about it and moved on, then I made certain, as her trusted Consultant, that she absolutely understood the message I had for her originally. It changed things a lot and would have dramatically affected both of our time with our families the night before. There goes my nomination for Communicator of the Year! Now I have to start working on next year's application.
When you're talking to someone and you think they are listening, you have to be actively participating in the conversation to be sure. During moments of high anxiety or general confusion, that responsiblity is heightened. Important information will typically result in a visible pysical or emotional reaction. If you are conveying the important information, it is your responsbility to make sure your audience hears you - not their responsiblity to be listening to every word. That's what makes you a professional communicator.
Professional communicators have better friendships, better marriages, better relationships with their children and better workplace environments. Are you ready to go pro? I am!
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