Communication Behavior

“We need better communication” is a common response when asking people in an organization what needs to improve.  It could be that people are seeking an improvement in communication behavior. 

 

Defensive Communication Behavior

Evaluative: indicating an idea or worth of a person is subject to judgment good or bad

Control: perceived effort to manipulate

Strategy: deluding a group member

Neutrality: cold and impersonal

Superiority: using intelligence or experience to talk down to others

Certainty: a “know it all” attitude

 

Supportive Communication Behavior

Descriptive: genuine request for information or taking an objective viewpoint

Problem orientation: a “we” approach of collaborating to find a  solution

Spontaneity: willingness to suspend judgment

Empathy: expressing concern by sharing the feelings

Equality: indicated mutual trust and respect

Provisionalism: looking at options to explore thoughts and ideas

Lessons Learned

Mistakes happen! When a mistake is made a supervisor will work with the staff member to correct the mistake.  However, that is only half of what a good supervisor needs to do.  A good supervisor will help the staff member to reflect on what they have learned from the mistake.  Supervisors often spend a great deal of effort to correct a mistake.  If they spent as much effort to help the staff member learn the lesson from their mistake, there would be fewer mistakes in the future.  Helping staff reflect on mistakes allows them to enhance their knowledge and skill application.  That is what learning organizations do.  So, the next time there is a mistake consider what can be learned from it first, then correct the mistake.

Your calling

The notion of pursuing your passion through your work is incorrect.  Work is an avenue to fulfill your purpose.  Your passion may or may not be what your work provides.  If you pursue your purpose (or your calling) through work, then your passion will be cultivated.  

Pursuing your purpose in work comes when you are doing something you are good at, feeling appreciated, and making people’s lives better.  Pursuing your calling (or purpose) at work will allow you to feel a part of something greater than yourself. When work aligns with your purpose, you are driven by your heart, rather than money or someone else’s expectations.