Communication Failure is Often Due to the Lack of This Talent Intelligence

What we have here is a problem to communicate. This well-known movie statement can be discovered in most organizations and is usually a symptom of a far greater problem or problems.

Why communication failure exists is because 95% of the time people (employees) are more concerned what they have to say instead of actively listening and evaluating what is said. This may be part of the explanation as why there are so many books on listening and yet this still is a significant organizational problem.

To switch the percentage from 5% retention span to a 50 percentage one if not greater is a combination of improving the actual listening skills which is called active listening and then applying the talent intelligence of evaluating what is said.

This particular attribute or capacity begins with being open to what others are saying and the ability to hear exactly what was said. There is an absence of prejudgment as to what someone might say. In the words of Sargent Joe Friday, "Just the facts Ma'am."

Additionally within this talent intelligence is the ability to appreciate other people along with their opinions. By being open to others and their thoughts allows for a more accurate evaluation of what has been communicated.

Workplace team members who are able to successfully evaluate what is said are able to objectively assess feedback and hear the concerns, or intentions, or opinions being stated specific to each situation.

Those are cannot evaluate what is said may engage in perceiving what they want or what they think may be happening.

Proactive demonstration of this talent intelligence might look like some of these behaviors:

• Asking this question: "Can you please clarify what you mean because I do not understand?"
• Increase individual awareness of the nonverbal queues to determine what is really being said
• Restating the information or comment to ensure clarification
• Avoiding telling people they are wrong

When organizations are able to fine tune this talent intelligence, then miscommunication is greatly reduced. Remember the old childhood game of Chinese telephone? Someone whispers a phrase to the person next to them and this is repeated down the line. The last person shares what he or she heard. Usually, it is far from those first spoken beginning words. Since the children were more interested in hearing them selves than actually hearing what was said and evaluating it so that they could correctly repeat it. The changes happened because of the inability evaluate what is said. So if you believe evaluating what is said is not important then remember that early childhood game and the last person who shared that very now convoluted message.

P.S. Download this free leadership audit because the real Issue is not "Do they (you) know it," but "Do they (you) want to do it?"

Do you really know your strengths or those of your employees? Learn more about how to maximize your talents and create a culture of high performance.

Executive coach and consultant, Leanne Hoagland-Smith partners with innovative leaders who want to dramatically improve their team results. What this looks like differs for each firm and why a free strategy session is offered by just calling 219.759.5601 CDT USA to have a conversation about the results you are seeking.