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September 2008 
 Kaleidoscopic TCFS Inc. Newsletter
 In Focus: Communication
In This Issue
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 Welcome
 

Welcome to the first newsletter for 2008. Why the delay you ask? Well, while it is business as usual at Kaleidoscopic, I have also been busy with another 'project' - a new addition to the family. Our daughter arrived happy and healthy two months ago. Along the way, a few communication tips were highlighted to me, reminding me that workplace communication strategies affect our daily lives in many ways. Read on for some examples of communication that did not work, and tips to improve it.

If you have a question or a story that you'd like to share with us about communication in your daily life, please drop us a line at newsletter@kscopic.ca.

 


 Article: Everyday Communication
 

Option key on computer keyboard 1. Impossible Options are Not Real During my hospital stay, one of the nurses informed me I would have to supplement because my daughter had lost 12% of her birth weight. The nurse offered either formula or pumping. I replied that I would like to pump. Her response was "I don't know if we have any pumps available." Offering options is a great tool to allow the other party some choice and input. If, however, you are not prepared to follow through with one of the stated options, then you really haven't offered a choice!
Communication Tip: Seek opportunities to provide real choices to individuals in disagreement.

2. Sleep Deprivation Affects Communication I live and breathe communication and conflict resolution, so why are some discussions with my husband going awry? With both of us sleep deprived, it is no wonder. Communication in the workplace is not immune to outside factors which can negatively impact on your interactions with colleagues. You may never know what is affecting someone's message from coming across well - it may be sleep deprivation!
Communication Tip: Before taking someone's message personally, consider whether there are other things going on in their life (or yours) that may be influencing it.

3. Repetition is a Red Flag Active listening includes demonstrating that you have heard whatever the other person has to say. I was questioning my own skills in this area after receiving a 'helpful' suggestion from the same person several times. The suggestion was contrary to what my husband & I had decided to do so I explained as much and thought the subject was closed. When it came up again, I wondered, 'Did I not validate their idea?' When the other person repeats their message, it is a red flag that they have not been heard.
Communication Tip: Use active listening to ensure the parties feel heard and are able to move forward.

 


 Team Tip: Getting Unstuck
 

Does your team have a particularly difficult time listening to one another? Assuming you would like to see communication improve, try the following exercise:
  1. 1) Name the problem - 'I've noticed that we talk over each other at our team meetings.'
  2. 2) Do a structured listening exercise - Choose your favourite active listening technique and challenge team members to use it as many times as they can during the meeting. For teams that are really stuck, provide additional structure by rotating speaking and active listening roles.
Tips for Success:
  • Keep the exercise short
  • Acknowledge the discomfort of trying something new
  • Encourage all to participate

 


Time for a communication refresher? Want to take your team's communication to the next level? Kaleidoscopic offers workshops, coaching and group facilitation in communication from the fundamentals to advanced skills and always tailored to meet your team's needs. For more information, contact us at Inquiries@kscopic.ca or 416-238-7454.

October Quick Tip: Change Management - A Proactive Approach


Heather Colquhoun
Kaleidoscopic

phone: 416-238-7454