Communication Quiz: Are You a Great Communicator?

Communication, which occupies approximately 70% of our waking hours, is what many leaders find the most frustrating. The fact is most of us were never taught how to communicate in a way that produces desired results, so we continue to experience frustration, resistance, conflicts, or breakdowns. Think of a recent important conversation. How many of these questions can you answer YES to?

  • Did I taking full responsibility for the message being heard by the other person? (Remember, it doesn't matter what you say, it only matters what the other person hears.)
  • Did I respect the other person's point of view? (Did I have a reaction to what they were saying that prevented me from listening to their full message?)
  • Did the other person feel heard and understood? (Did I acknowledge them?)
  • If I was asking someone to take a specific action, did I make my request clear?
  • Was I speaking in a way the other person can understand? (Speaking in their communication style.)
  • Was I communicating openly, without prejudices, expectations and judgment? (Was I focused on having to be right or hearing their point of view?)
  • Did the other person leave the conversation feeling good ? with some value?
  • Did I leave the conversation feeling good ? with some value?
  • Did I follow-up to see if the conversation was successful ? it led to the desired results?
  • If the outcome of the conversation did not meet my expectations, did I learn what I could improve upon to better communicate with that particular person?
  • So how did you score?
    8-10 Yeses indicate you're the tops. Keep up the good work.
    4-7 Yeses is OK. Brush up in certain areas.
    0-3 means you have work to do.
    Here are four ways to be a better communicator and leader:

    Talk less and hear more.
    We want to be heard and listened to but we don't always concentrate on listening to others. We focus more on our agenda than on the other person's thoughts, concerns or issues.

    Don't assume others are mind readers.
    We want some kind of action or response from another person. However, we don't let them know what we really want or how to achieve it. Before assuming the other knows what you want, first inform and then ask for feedback. Take the time upfront to get better mileage later on.

    Don't shot the messenger.
    We want to understand but our ability to understand is tainted by our perceptions of the person speaking or the outcome we are looking to achieve. So, we often pass judgment on the speaker and disregard the message. Concentrate on the message not the messenger.

    Join forces.
    We want acceptance and agreement from others, so much so, that we often become consumed with having to be right or proving our point. We push and push our agenda. Rather, stop, look and listen for areas of mutual agreement. Then work from there to co-create a greater outcome together.

    The next time you are involved in an important conversation pause your mental and verbal tape player for a moment. Then start really listening. It's amazing what you will discover. Perhaps information that can lead to your leadership and business success.

    Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ­ to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ­ resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ­ fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.



    Giving Thanks - A Universal Gift

    In the USA we celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday... Read More

    One of the Many Ways That The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles Gets It Right

    I probably would not be able to count the number... Read More

    What Is Your Legacy?

    During a recent speech, I told the audience that my... Read More

    Is There Something Called Free Will

    The statement ""The concept of free will is a fallacy""... Read More

    7 Ways to Drive a Man Wild

    It's unbelievable the amount of bad advice there is out... Read More

    The Joy Of Living In The Zone

    What do people want most in the world? What is... Read More

    What Do You Do?

    When I go out and talk to business people, I... Read More

    Affirm Actions: Stop Lying to Your Soul and Make It Real!

    I hear of so many people using affirmations as the... Read More

    Triggering Intention: How To Remember To Remember

    You've got a lot to store in that brain of... Read More

    How to Be Irresistible to Women

    You don't need a guitar, rock-hard abs, or even a... Read More

    Did Your Personality Choose Your Career?

    We almost all think we are masters of our own... Read More

    Ten Tips For Setting (And Keeping) Life Changing Resolutions

    It's time for that annual ritual of making (and breaking)... Read More

    Manifest Your Dreams

    For each of us, the universe is different. A homeless... Read More

    Are You Thinking About What Youre Thinking About

    Do you realize that your belief system is ultimately what... Read More

    Guiltless Contentment

    'Have I stopped dreaming?' 'Why am I not as stressed?'... Read More

    Change Thorns into Flowers

    If you had to write an annual appraisal on yourself... Read More

    How to Develop the Awesome Power of Getting Other People to Cooperate With You

    Have you ever wondered what it would be like if... Read More

    How To Make Your Dreams Come True

    Editors Note: Family Circle Interview (2003) with Dr. Wayne Dyer:Could... Read More

    Achieving Your Definite Major Purpose

    (Excerpts From The Book) Successercising "The Science Of Success Achievement... Read More

    4 Simple Steps To The Good Life

    If you want to create the good life -- a... Read More

    How to Attract Wealth

    Have you been struggling with making ends meet? Are you... Read More

    Why Cant You be More Like Me?

    Here is a non-scientific, but fun way to see which... Read More

    Sometimes Being Unfocused is the Risk You Need to Take

    I was accused recently of being unfocused. This lady challenged... Read More

    Simple Truths for Change, Healing, and a Magnificent Life!

    Many people on the planet are realizing that the key... Read More

    Are You Living?

    Disclaimer: All the thoughts expressed are my views only! Your... Read More

    If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
    please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
    to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

    * Your email address:
    * choes your language:
     

    العاب منتديات هيدى الزاوية الحمراء

    Pharaohs products    egypt products    Egypt shopping   Shopping in Egypt   sho  Egypt Bazaar Pharaohs Shoping Center   Egypt  Pharaohs