Thanks to my friend (and co-Author of “Some Assembly Required – A Networking Guide of Women“) Marny Lifshen for sharing this post on how to avoid communications snafus. Marny Lifshen is an accomplished author and speaker and an expert on workplace communication and interpersonal dynamics. 
What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate… Three Keys for Avoiding Communication Snafus
Just about everyone agrees that communication can make or break relationships, both personal and professional. Yet we communicate every day, in so many ways, and simply hope to somehow be effective across barriers, through conflict and over clutter. But good communication is no easy feat – especially these days!
Many of us communicate without really thinking – we just talk, listen, type or read on auto-pilot. Being strategic and intentional is often the key to effective communication – simply take a little time to choose the right approach. I find that it helps to keep a few key things about communication top of mind:
- There is no “right” or “wrong” way to communicate. Many of us have strong opinions about what “good communication” really is, and we judge our coworkers as being either good or bad at communication. Chances are you could name more than one person right now that you think have poor communication skills. The reality is that those people probably just communicate differently than you – in a style that doesn’t mesh with your style. If you take the judgement away, and simply look for a better way – somewhere in the middle – to communicate with them, many frustrations and misunderstanding can be avoided.
- Communication is always a two-way street. We tend to focus on our end of communication – sharing our thoughts, opinions and feelings. This is true whether we are in a one-on-one coffee, on the phone, sending an email, participating in a team meeting, or making a formal presentation to a large group. The problem is that we forget to think about our audience – yet they are an equal part of communication. If we think about their perspective, priorities and personality before we communicate we can often avoid issues.
- Perception is reality, and adaptation is king! In order to improve your interactions, you first need to understand and accept how your communication style is perceived by your colleagues. You need to learn about both your strengths and your weaknesses – discover what drives your coworkers crazy! Once you have this knowledge you will also have the power to adapt your communication to be more effective and impactful. Needed changes are often slight and subtle but will ultimately help your personal brand and your professional relationships. Embrace this power!! Taking just a few moments to thoughtfully choose the right tool, the right language, the right time, the right smile can make all the difference.
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About Marny LIfshen
For more information about Marny Lifshen visit www.MarnyLifshenCommunications.com.
Marny Lifshen is an author, speaker, coach and marketing communications consultant with more than 25 years of experience.
Marny works with businesses and executives to develop brand awareness and credibility with key audiences, and to establish relationships with key influencers.
She is the author of the award-winning Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Women. The Second Edition was released in 2015. In 2009, Marny Lifshen was named a winner of the Profiles in Power and Women of Influence Awards hosted by the Austin Business Journal. She is a nationally recognized expert on strategic networking, communication and personal branding.
She is a seasoned keynote speaker and workshop leader for corporate, association and university clients across the country. Marny Lifshen customizes the content and format of each program to address the specific goals of her clients.