Open communication – a bad New Year's resolution?!
Misunderstanding: The Factual Level Alone Is Enough
Yes! Because "open communication" is often misunderstood and frequently fails. A good resolution is only effective if you avoid common misunderstandings!
Many people interpret "open communication" merely as an open exchange of arguments.
"I understand. However, we can't do it that way because
1...
2...
3..."
What happens? A differing opinion is expressed, and an immediate response follows on the factual level.
What conclusion does your counterpart draw from this? Every open statement leads to a discussion!
Solution: Separate the Relationship from the Issue
Even if you don't agree, you should actively appreciate your counterpart's openness!
"Good that you brought this up.
I appreciate your openness!"
However, remain clear and decisive on the issue. This is not a contradiction!
"I understand that you want to... That makes sense to me. Still, I ask you to..., because..."
This means for you:
A culture of open communication arises when you constructively engage with differing opinions. Invest in your communication skills with effective communication!
An ideal opportunity to practice open communication is the employee conversation. In Develop, your leaders learn how to conduct such important conversations in a constructive and open manner.
