The danger of assuming when communicating
This week we have facilitated a communications workshop for a professional membership organisation. It reminded us of how easy it is to use our own terms of reference and assume knowledge when communicating with others, especially amongst our team members.
The famous saying of be aware of assuming – ASSUME – it can make an ASS out of U (you) and ME is as true today as it was years ago. The danger today is that with communication having to break through more noise than ever before, we often “assume” things which can result in a whole raft of problems.
Assumptions are a key barrier to effective communication we can assume our partners are listening when we asked them to pick up the children; or that staff know what they need to in order to complete a task efficiently and effectively.
It is easy to make various assumptions that can have a detrimental affect on our ability to communicate. Here are some common assumptions:
• I know your views on the situation
• The other person is to blame for the problem
• We need to solve the others person’s problem
• We are right and they are wrong
• You know how to do something
• You know what I am talking about
What are the assumptions you make in the workplace or at home on a daily basis? How efficient and more effective could you be if you just stopped and checked your assumptions? Feedback is a vital element of the communications process. If we gathered feedback more often and clarified understanding of our communications, we might be more effective more of the time.
We welcome comments as to what assumptions you have made and where it has caused you or your organisation problems in the past.
This week we have facilitated a communications workshop for a professional membership organisation. It reminded us of how easy it is to use our own terms of reference and assume knowledge when communicating with others, especially amongst our team members.
The famous saying of be aware of assuming – ASSUME – it can make an ASS out of U (you) and ME is as true today as it was years ago. The danger today is that with communication having to break through more noise than ever before, we often “assume” things which can result in a whole raft of problems.
Assumptions are a key barrier to effective communication we can assume our partners are listening when we asked them to pick up the children; or that staff know what they need to in order to complete a task efficiently and effectively.
It is easy to make various assumptions that can have a detrimental affect on our ability to communicate. Here are some common assumptions:
• I know your views on the situation
• The other person is to blame for the problem
• We need to solve the others person’s problem
• We are right and they are wrong
• You know how to do something
• You know what I am talking about
What are the assumptions you make in the workplace or at home on a daily basis? How efficient and more effective could you be if you just stopped and checked your assumptions? Feedback is a vital element of the communications process. If we gathered feedback more often and clarified understanding of our communications, we might be more effective more of the time.
We welcome comments as to what assumptions you have made and where it has caused you or your organisation problems in the past.
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