How many times do we hear: It is a problem of communication, lack of communication, miscommunication, or misunderstanding? Often it is true. The response should be: Fix it! One effective way of doing this is to cross-check the information on which the communication is based. As a message travels, we add or subtract from it; in either case, the message gets distorted. Consider these two examples:
1. A man was driving with his son and got killed in an accident. The son needed an operation but the surgeon said: I cannot operate. The patient is my son. Who is the surgeon?
2. A man left his house and put the keys in his pocket. A thief came and robbed the house. How did he enter? In both cases, our mind jumps to conclusions and we give the wrong answer. The surgeon was the mother of the patient but we assumed erroneously that the surgeon must be a man. The thief entered through the door because it was not locked. We assume wrongly that the man locked the door before putting the key in his pocket.
It is amazing how often we fall into this trap of assumptions, become presumptuous, inaccurate and approximate. In our work today, this tendency is affecting our performance considerably. It is useful to repeat instructions loudly to assure correct transmission and reception. Repeat the appointment time and place again to make sure. When someone dictates a telephone number or spells a name to you, do not say umm," OK or yes. Repeat after him the numbers and letters to eliminate the possibility of error. Of course, should not do over-checking. The guiding rule must be the pure good intention of getting the truth, not to trap or accuse others of purposely misleading us. If we follow the route of continuous suspicion, the results of cross-checking will be counter-productive.
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited