Sharing the Responsibility of Communication

[Topic: Sharing the Responsibility of Communication. Sofia is standing with her hands clasped and is anxious.] JACK: [off screen] Sent you a text, Sofia.

SOFIA: Not sure I understand, Jack.

SULYN: [off screen] I need more time on that report.

SOFIA: Oh. Well, I…I can…

SULYN: [off screen] More time. More time…

JASON: [off screen] We really need to talk about those new hires. I'm so going to need your help.

SOFIA: Sure, Jason, what do you need? [Sofia is flustered.] Jason? Jason?

HOST: Communication in the workplace should be a two-way street. It's give-and-take. If you just take what you need, have your say, with nothing in return, you're not connecting with others at all! There are times, however, when one-way communication is fine – simply answering a question, or confirming facts that are already known – but think hard before shooting off a one-sided e-mail that gives the recipient no chance to engage in a conversation. Or keeping quiet when someone asks for your input. Because where there's zero connection, there's just a gaping hole where mutual understanding could have been. That's a missed opportunity for connection right there.

It's also not just about what you say. What you do has just as much of an impact. We think of communication as two-way, but in many ways it's actually four-way! Intentionally or not, your body language changes what you're saying and how it comes across. And what you're thinking impacts meaning too. Are you looking away when you speak? Do you fidget? Are you typing when you're supposed to be listening? Then there's also what the other person is thinking. And what they're saying.

Interpersonal communication is complicated like that. But with practice, you can get better at using your actions, words, tone, and body language to enhance the way you communicate. Sometimes you have to simply trust your intuition and sense when the timing is right to speak, when it's time for a pause, to absorb what was said, or when you've interrupted someone and need to get the conversation back on track to fix that. So communication is a shared responsibility. Without it, understanding turns into misunderstanding. But it doesn't have to be that way.

So avoid misunderstandings by practicing the art, and science, of communication.

[Sofia and Jason are in a meeting.] JASON: Are we working together on this?

SOFIA: We're working together on this. [Sofia is pleased.]

JASON: Have I told you how great you are?