“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
–George Bernard Shaw
Now, these mistakes most often done unintentionally can make us appear sloppy and unprofessional, upset clients, damage reputation or more so lead to loss in revenue. We have become so ignorant that we tend overlook these commonly happening communication errors in our everyday work life. In this post we’ll look into 10 most common communication errs we overlook often habitually.
1. Not editing your work:
Email is fast and easy but mistakes with spelling, tone, and grammar make you look careless. That’s why it’s essential to check all of your communications and/or attachments before you send them.
2. Not following up:
You send out an email asking a co-worker to do a task and you assume that they received it. Worse, you assume that the task was completed without following up. Make a note to follow-up with an email if you haven’t received a confirmation from your recipient.
3. Reacting not responding:
Have you ever sent a terse reply to an email, without thinking your point through? If so, you’re likely to have reacted emotionally, instead of responding calmly. This kind of emotional reaction can damage your reputation, upset people and give the impression that you lack self-control and emotional intelligence.
4. Not being Assertive:
Assertiveness is about stating what you need, while considering the wants and needs of others. You may not always get your way when you’re assertive, but you stand a better chance of getting it, or of reaching a compromise, because you’ve been clear about your needs. Assertiveness also means saying “no” when you need to, gently but firmly, while maintaining good relationships.
5. Not asking Questions:
We walk around with a lot of confusion about what we’re actually supposed to deliver that can be clarified if we simply ask.
6. Avoiding Difficult Conversations:
Never use email as a way to communicate bad news. It’s tempting to try to avoid these conversations, but this can cause further problems – in particular, you may let small problems grow into big ones. Preparation is the key to handling difficult conversations. Learn to give clear, actionable feedback to encourage your people to reflect on their behavior.
Now, the success lies in thinking about your audience’s needs well. Prepare each email, document, and presentation carefully, and give yourself time to check it. Most Importantly, remember that communication is a two-way process. Be ready for questions, and listen to what your audience has to say.
