In a recent article, the addicted2success.com website identified several roadblocks that often make any reasonable communication impossible. Do you know them? Being aware of them is the first step to overcoming or – even better – avoiding them.
Predicting what others are going to say
This is great if you want to make someone feel that they have limited space for expression. Don’t attempt to be a mind-reader. When you rob others of the opportunity to express themselves, you sabotage your conversation. Listen to others so they can say what they want.
Moralizing
Control your temptation to advise others. Telling other people how to live their life is a good way to alienate even your closest friends. If you want to give advice, you have to be a supreme listener – only then can you be asked for it.
Labeling
What should be left to kids in elementary school is often somehow appealing adults. Assigning labels means that you aren’t willing to put in the effort to understand other people's situation. Simply said: you are being lazy at the expense of others.
Generalizing
It's as lazy and diminishing as labeling. When certain behavior is repeated, it doesn’t mean that it always or never really happens. By generalizing, you also lose your sense of curiosity, since you give up putting in any additional effort.
Lying
If you don't keep your word, you not only lose your credibility, but also your ability to create something with another human being. Minimizing or avoiding a difficult situation just isn't worth it. Tell the truth – the kind of truth that reveals your imperfection. Don’t pretend that you're perfect. Often, you'll get compassion and respect in return.
-jk-