Avoiding Communication Missteps

Community Manager — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

In real estate, the mantra may be "location, location, location" but at work the motto that makes life run smoothly is "communication, communication, communication."

We blog about effective communication frequently (see past posts Something to Say? Choosing the Right Form of Communication and How to Write Persuasively and Why) and we think about the topic even more often. Recently, I came across some terrific articles that crystallize the mistakes that people all too often make when communicating. Read on to avoid pitfalls.

What Not to Do

Harvard Business Review contributor Stever Robbins succinctly summarizes what not to do in Seven Communication Mistakes Managers Make. This article is spot-on in indentifying crucial missteps that sabotage effective communications. They include:

1. Making controversial announcements without doing groundwork first

2. Lying

3. Ignoring the realities of power

4. Underestimating your audience's intelligence

5. Confusing process with outcome

6. Using inappropriate forms of communication

7. Ignoring acts of omission

Cultural Foul-ups

In our increasingly global world, communication must surmount not only time zones but cultural obstacles. If your work environment includes cross-cultural communications, take the time to educate yourself about the nuances of the world with which you interact. Good advice can be found in

How to Steer Clear of Pitfalls in Cross-Cultural Negotiation - Tips for Avoiding Misunderstandings When Negotiating Cross-Border Deals and Avoiding the Pitfalls of Coaching Across Cultures.

Finally, I leave you with an amusing video produced by the Peace Corps illustrating cultural blunders in action.

Don't let this be you, educate yourself to avoid cultural communications gaffes and take steps to ensure that your domestic interactions are equally inoffensive (and most importantly, effective!)

Have you had issues with communication missteps? Share your thoughts here and on the Beyond Folders Community's Facebook and Twitter pages.

by Candie Harris

Beyond Folders : cultural differences, communication skills

Avoiding Communication Missteps