Miscommunication can
lead to confusión, animosity and misunderstanding. Even though human communication
is incredibly complex, basic understanding of what happens when we communicate
can help us prevent miscommunication. There are two interpretations: the transmission model, which views
communication as a message that moves directly from one person to another and
the transactional model wich
acknowledges the many added challenges of communication like receiving feedback
and creating meaning.
When communicating,
one person expresses her interpretation of a message, and the person she's
communicating with hears his own interpretation of that message. Our perceptual
filters continually shift meanings and interpretations. Simultaneously, every
person interprets
the message they
receive based on their relationship with the other person, and their unique
understanding of the semantics and connotations of the exact words being used.
Sometimes, our
messages turn into a mush of miscommunication but luckily, there are some simple
practices that can help us all navigate our daily interactions for better
communication. One: recognize that passive hearing and active listening are not
the same. Engage actively with the verbal and nonverbal feedback of others, and
adjust your message to facilitate greater understanding. Two: listen with your
eyes and ears, as well as with your gut. Remember that communication is more
than just words. Three: take time to understand as you try to be understood. In
the rush to express ourselves, it's easy to forget that communication is a
two-way street. Be open to what the other person might say. And finally, four: Be
aware of your personal perceptual filters. Elements of your experience, including
your culture, community, and family, influence how you see the world. Say,
"This is how I see the problem, but how do you see it?", don't assume
that your perception is the objective truth. That'll help you work toward
sharing a dialogue with others to reach a common understanding together.
