Booher BanterBusiness Communication Consultant

“Everybody’s house smells different,” Grant, my nine-year-old visitor said to me last Saturday.  “Logan’s house smells one way.  Brian’s house smells one way.  Yours smells a little bad today.”

Nothing like kids for candid feedback.  My husband had been repotting plants in the garage and had tracked fertilizer in through the patio area and utility room.  With the windows and doors closed, well, let’s just say Grant was right.  I immediately turned off the air conditioning system and opened a few windows for the rest of the day.

Ah, were it so easy to correct other flaws and habits.

But it might just be.

If we were aware of them.

Sure, many of us participate in 360° feedback processes in our organizations.  But those generally focus on complex issues involving our leadership style, management abilities, project management skills, interpersonal relationships, and so forth.

With so many tracks to cover in such broad areas, sometimes we fail to get feedback on the little things that people notice every day—things that annoy, confuse, or amuse people—simple things that we could easily and quickly correct.

So here’s my suggestion for feedback about your communication style and substance:  Ask a trusted colleague to give you candid feedback to some tough, specific questions.  (In fact, write them down so the colleague can give each some thought before answering.  Notice, too, that the questions are phrased so that the colleague can respond tactfully as he or she thinks “most people” see the situation.)

• Do I have any signature phrases, gestures, or tics?
• Is my facial expression more often pleasant/relaxed or angry/tense?
• Do I routinely “over answer” questions?
• Do you think my body language increases or diminishes my credibility when I speak?
• Do you think others see me as a positive or negative person because of my comments in group meetings?
• Do I organize my voice mails concisely?
• Do I organize my emails clearly?

Thank your colleague for their opinion and gift of candor.  Then decide if there’s anything you’d like to change to meet your personal goals.

Share and Enjoy

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Posted at 3:09pm in Communication—Interpersonal, General Communication | Permalink | Add Comment » |