Misunderstandings and relationships go hand in hand. You’re bound to have misunderstanding sooner or later. Take the necessary precautions to minimize the likelihood of any confusion.
Here are 4 tips to help you greatly reduce misunderstandings and help you be present for the moments that matter:
- Think before you speak
Many misunderstandings could be avoided by proactively taking a moment to really think about the situation. What is going on? What are you trying to accomplish? What is the other person thinking and feeling? What is their perspective? What expectations do you have that you have not expressed to the other person? These are a few questions to ask yourself before you speak. - Listen to what is said and how it’s said
One way to minimize your contribution and stress is to concentrate on what’s being communicated to you. Most people are very distracted on any given day. Pausing and listening is a key component to minimizing miscommunications. - Be specific about your intended outcome
Vagueness leads to misunderstandings. Avoid forcing people to guess what you mean. Just spell it out so anyone can understand what you’re saying and why you are saying it. Being crystal clear is in everyone’s best interest. Being able to articulate your intended outcome is a game-changer and stops people from assuming incorrectly. - Stay curious and ask questions
Think of anything you might have misunderstood or made an assumption about and ask about it. Questions are a great way to ensure you’ve understood what was communicated to you. You can also ask questions to verify you were understood.“Okay, so you need me to….?”
“Just so we’re clear, it would help you if I….?”
“So, you understand that I need you to pick up the kids at…?
While we all know the best way to deal with misunderstandings is actually to avoid them in the first place – it’s not always possible. These tips can be a game changer to bring you more joy and less stress.
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