Success Maxims (Part 11)

Kasper & Associates maintains faith in the American spirit and we believe in the power of positive thinking.  To that end, we’ve established a monthly posting to our blog – Success Maxims — a collection of our favorite motivational quotes, essays and leadership advice.  (For a complete collection, e-mail your mailing address to contact@kasperassociates.com.)

SUCCESS MAXIMS

–Part 11–

Toward Error-Free Positive Communication

When someone talks to you, updates you on a project, asks you to do something, assigns you a task, has a business communication of any kind or just needs a favor…here is a method that has proven effective in eliminating misunderstandings and errors.

 

1. Focus on the communicator

Stop – whatever else you’re doing.  Distractions cause errors.

Look – at the person who is talking.  People communicate both verbally and non-verbally.

Listen – with your eyes and ears.  Using eye contact increases listening intensity.

Clarify – by asking what, why, when, how.

2. Write the communication down

Writing the message or task reduces error by 90%.

3. Repeat it back

Repeating gives the communicator peace of mind that the message has been received and understood.

Repeat all dates and numbers twice.

4. Get confirmation

The communicator will appreciate acknowledging that you are correct in receiving and understanding the communication.

5. Deliver more than promised

Delivering is more important than listening, writing and confirming – combined.