I’ve studied communication for over a decade in the corporate environment, through various different staffs and during training events and consulting with managers and leaders in corporations. However, I still get it wrong sometimes…
Sometimes it feels like my husband and I have a great discussion and make an intelligent decision, and then a couple weeks later we both feel like we were on two different planets during that discussion and we both walked away with different ideas of our final decision. What happens? Why the miscommunication?
Here’s the lowdown…
My interpretation – I am taking my 2 kids out of town next week, and I booked our flight to return on Sunday morning so we have the rest of the day on Sunday to relax and ensure we get home in time for my son to get to school on Monday morning. Not to mention, I’ll need a emotional break from being on a flight for 4 hours with my overly rambunctious one year old. He plans on going out of town on Friday night for a quick day trip to Mexico with a buddy, and he’s coming back on Saturday night. We love the ocean, and it will be a good mental break for him. I thought we discussed that my husband would pick us up from the airport when we got in on Sunday. Great – I’ll be relieved to see him after that long flight and 5 days a part.
His interpretation – My wife is headed out of town with the kids to spend time with her family in Ohio. I get to spend some wonderful relaxation time on the beach for the weekend with one of my buddies, what a great get away to re-energize myself. My family will be home on Sunday, and I get to see them when I get back from Mexico. I’ll be in a great mood from the beach and from the peace and quiet for a few days.
Did you notice the difference??? My interpretation is that he’ll be picking us up from the airport and be able to give me some relaxation time, and his interpretation is that he’ll be home later on Sunday after he finishes his vacation. Are either of us wrong? NOPE, just a difference in clearly communicating expectations.
This one is simple to solve. I can get someone to pick us up from the airport or he can come home early. We have chosen something in between as a win-win for us both, but how in the world did we completely misunderstand each other? I don’t know, but obviously it happens. I know his style, and he knows my style – we just didn’t listen closely enough to the other person.
Some issues are much more complex, so when misunderstandings do happen be sure to discuss them right away. The longer the “waiting” time, the longer the “recovery” time. Take time to sit down and listen from the other person’s point of view!
Have a great week and a wonderful day.
Jessica Pierce
jessica@atdsuccess.com
www.atdsuccess.com
480-284-5284
