...and what that has to do with how we are different.
Great Communication Is About Knowing How to Build on Differences.
<<First Name>>, you may remember I've mentioned I'm building a course on Leading with Kindness. But if not, no worries, that's not the point here:).
The point is that part of that course is a full module that talks about how to 'Focus on Valuing Differences'.
And we look at the many things that make us all different from one another, from unconscious bias all the way to generational differences and communication styles.
And here's the thing: although we have different communication styles, we still expect (or assume, or both!) that others will communicate with us the same way in which we prefer to communicate.
And reality constantly and eloquently tells us 'nah'!
Communication is one of the first 'issues' mentioned by both leaders and team members when they talk about what can be improved in the way they work together.
And the truth is, that's a work in progress. And hard work.
Because our focus and priorities when we communicate are different from other people's.
To you, it may be that testing and trying are going to be more important when we discuss a project, while for me it may be all about new solutions and ideas. Or vice-versa.
And we can endlessly try to convince one another that someone's point of view is more important, more urgent, or both.
OR we can start listening better to all those things we know we might NOT listen to by default, and discover what our own blind spots might have been and get different perspectives on the same topic.
That's so much better than the typical frustration that 'they don't get it'.
Yes, we'll focus more on what we prefer to either communicate to or hear from someone.
And yes, we'll most likely miss some of the information that is just 'not important enough to pay attention to' - from our point of view.
So knowing our own communication style preferences will help us learn how we can also better communicateAND listen to people with a different communication style. THAT is gold.
'People learn nothing when they're asleep, and very little when they're bored.' (John Cleese)
Although I would debate the 'learn nothing when they're asleep' part - as research suggests that it may actually be possible to learn new information while we sleep, according to research published in 'Current Biology' - I absolutely agree that we learn very little when we're bored!
We learn best when we have fun - because that's when we share a vulnerable space with everyone and feel safe, listened to, and excited about the impact we can make beyond that learning experience!
And how we feel while learning has a direct correlation with how we implement the learning afterwards!
I'm honoured to be one of the facilitators selected to run an interactive and FUN workshop focused on change at the Toronto Change Days in November, alongside other amazing facilitators!!
So excited about the theme this year: The Power of Play!
If you're in Toronto or GTA, you can register to participate on the link below.
Hope to see you there so we can tap into the power of play and change!
Roxana
