Why This Matters

When communication works well, it’s great. People are inspired, motivated and happy. Their minds are uncluttered. They focus on the right things. Stuff gets done.

Unfortunately, it often isn’t like this. There are the obvious day-to-day issues – too much information, everything’s “TOP PRIORITY” and “URGENT”, you daren’t use the restroom for fear of the number of emails you’ll return to.

And there are the less obvious – but equally painful – problems, like how to:

• Say “no” when you know it will cause you problems.
• Remove people’s concerns about what you’re planning to do.
• Start a conversation you know will be challenging.
• Get a good outcome following a difficult conversation.

When you think about it, communication “only” has to keep both parties happy, achieve the desired outcomes and be as quick as possible. It shouldn’t be that hard. But it can be. So, here’s how to overcome the communication frustrations you face every day.