3 Ways to Communicate Better Amid Uncertainty

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Effective communication is critical in any setting, whether in business or social relationships. Not only does effective communication harmonize an environment, but it also increases the likelihood of win-win outcomes. Effective communication can leave a long-lasting impression on individuals involved in the process. In fact, communication well-presented can encourage a long-lasting relationship. Less effective communication can also leave a long-lasting, although negative, impression. One example comes to mind.

An employee of a major corporation was on medical leave due to a gall bladder open surgery procedure. The very first day the employee returned to work after a recovery period, he was terminated and escorted out of the building; the reason for his termination was that they did not need his position anymore. His co-workers were rightly upset and, at the same time, concerned about their fate with the company. Unfortunately, when a worker is terminated, it can have a spillover effect on other workers—a sense of unworthiness and a feeling that they are expendable.

Based on this anecdote, a lot of questions must have come to mind. But before jumping to a conclusion, there was obviously a communication breakdown and possible ill-considered handling of the situation. Because of how it was communicated and delivered, it created uncertainty in the minds of his former colleagues. What does effective communication look like? Three components: active listening, engaging in dialog, and taking action.

Active Listening

To listen to another person without interrupting requires energy to restrain yourself from speaking. Interestingly, listening requires discipline and intentionality. It is an act of purposefulness to decide to remain quiet and calm while someone speaks. Most poor communication results from poorly processed information; poor listening ability can result in a poor understanding of a message. On the other hand, active listening allows the listener to be present and listen with their whole being. When this happens, information is exchanged more reliably.

One barrier to active listening is either physical noise in the environment or the inner noise of the listener’s unbridled thoughts. The ability to filter or discipline our thoughts in order to be present is a learned behavior. Actively listening to the participants in a conversation allows all parties to examine the situation without any interference or intruding gestures thoroughly. That is why active listening is critical to effective communication. In the case of the employee on sick leave, the human resources official who decided to terminate the employee may not have actively listened to the entire case, asked focused questions, and engaged in dialog before deciding to terminate the employee.

Engaging in Dialogue

Communication is sustained by deliberately engaging in dialog. In other words, a prolonged conversation always has constant probing questions that lead to more conversations and the flow of information. But in order for communication to be effective, there has to be a deliberate and intentional exchange of information to achieve understanding. For example, in the case of the employee terminated after returning from a gallbladder procedure, a simple question of how firing the employee would affect them and other employees could have helped to determine another alternative to terminating this employee. If they had conducted a thorough discussion and considered other employees' well-being, the result would have been different.

Taking Action

Communication often creates expectations about what will happen. Whether or not actions follow that conform to both parties’ expectations will reflect on the effectiveness of the communication. Therefore, it is better to think through decisions before acting on them; for effective communication, weighing the possible consequences is necessary. This means in a healthy environment, effective communication is pivotal. Unfortunately, in an unhealthy environment, toxicity has a way of displaying its ugliness. For people in positions of authority, the intentionality of purpose is a critical element in making sure that actions are well-intended and humanized.

Considering the issue of an employee that was let go the first day after returning to work after gallbladder surgery, were human resources personnel’s decision to terminate their employee deliberated and all options considered? This example could serve as a case study for individuals who make critical decisions on a daily basis. People who practice leadership in varied capacities should understand that they have enormous power and responsibility to humanize their decisions no matter what because people’s lives are involved directly or indirectly. Effective communication sets the stage for the next course of action; therefore, communication¾including the actions that follow¾ought to be taken seriously because it always carries a message.

Learning how to communicate effectively has a ripple effect. It can harmonize an environment and can arouse passion. It is one form of exchange that engages people either positively or negatively. It is up to the parties involved to guard their intentions jealously because consequences are inevitable. Three ways to direct communication are active listening, engaging in dialog, and taking action after a thorough decision-making process. Cultivate the habit of communicating effectively and use such skill wisely for that is your passport to many desired destinations.