It All Begins with You
- Look in the mirror. Before pointing fingers and seeking a solution to any perceived communications challenge, begin with a thorough self-examination. Are you certain that the source of the communications challenges or behavioral problems you experience is the other person, and not you? Can you identify a pattern in your interaction with co-workers? Are your hot buttons easily pushed? If your answer is yes, you need to deal with your own issues before seeking a resolution with others.
- Listen and understand first. Effective listening is the first step in transforming a challenging personality into a collaborative colleague. Active, empathetic, and responsive listening occurs when we genuinely care about what the other person is trying to tell us and we actively reach out with questions, tone, voice, and body language. When people feel that they have not been heard, it only adds to their frustration and anger and adds fuel to the difficult person’s combustible personality.