Communication Breakdown
September 2nd, 2008 | Published in Uncategorized
So lately I’ve been thinking about the art of communicating effectively and what all it entails. Is it something that you’re born with, can it be learned, will some people just never get the hang of it? Now as a designer I think about this issue more than the average person—effective communication is my job after all. And maybe that’s why poor communication annoys me so, but lately I can’t help but think that surely other people must be troubled by it as well.
Now I’m the first to admit that I can have issues when it comes to communicating. I rely too much on email (I loathe talking on the phone), finish people’s thoughts and occasionally say things that are just completely wrong. I’m sure everyone is guilty of these or similar communication hiccups—it’s not something that is easily perfected. But I would like to think that all in all, I’m not half bad when it comes to communicating.
Over time I’ve developed a long list of ways to not communicate well—useless jargon, talking in circles and my favorite, the complete withholding of necessary information all together. But I’m tired of dwelling on all of the negative aspects to it and I’m looking for advice to make it better.
So here is the action item for this week (if there is anyone out there reading this): send me any tips, recommendations, links or info you may have on how to make people better communicators. I’m willing to try most anything to improve my abilities and hopefully of those around me as well.