PORTFOLIO ENTRY #4. How miscommunication happens (and how to avoid it) - Katherine Hampsten

Miscommunication

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.