“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
George Bernard Shaw said this in the early 1900s,
And miscommunication seems even more likely today in global business.
Why is that?
I see three big reasons:
- Diverse backgrounds
In the past, people in the same business were probably from the same culture and had similar backgrounds. Today, our colleagues and clients often come from diverse cultures and backgrounds. As a result, what seems obvious or normal to one person can seem confusing or even offensive to another. - Too much information
In the past, people had a limited amount of information and tasks to deal with. Today, many business professionals are overwhelmed with data and to-do lists (can you relate?). Without realizing it, they can be constantly experiencing low-level (or even high-level) stress, which makes it difficult to think clearly. When you’re not thinking clearly, you can easily miscommunicate.
- Working remotely
In the past, people worked in the same location and communicated face to face. Now, remote work is the norm for many and communication is primarily via email, online chat, or video and telephone conferencing. When we can’t read the other person’s body language or hear their tone of voice, we can easily misinterpret the message.
I know from coaching thousands of business professionals that many recognize that communication skills are crucial for business success and they want to improve.
In Episode 112 of the Sasuga! Podcast, you’ll hear
- 3 rock-solid techniques that you can use to improve your spoken and written communication in any language immediately
- Why it’s so difficult to think properly and say the right thing when you’re under pressure – and what you can do about it
- How a Japanese female manager went from vague and lacking confidence to clear, concise, structured, and totally convincing in just a few minutes!
Enjoy!
Prefer to listen on your podcast player?
Links for you
In this episode, I mention the Speak Like An Expert Online course. If it’s important for you to communicate clearly, confidently, and convincingly with your colleagues and clients or customers…
Click here to discover all the ways this comprehensive, self-study course can help you.
Free resources from Jim Fortin – Pop over to this page if you’re intrigued by topics such as making intentional choices and your identity to create the outcomes you want in your life