The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Communication Breakdown
An ongoing series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that can indicate a partnership is in trouble.
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
The "Seven Cs" are the danger signs that indicate your business partnership, or any partnership for that matter, is in trouble.
First, and most important, in my view, is the issue of Communication Breakdown.
Although my list of Seven C's refers to the danger signs that partnerships are in trouble, the fact is that communication breakdowns abound in all relationships. Sometimes they are serious leading to downward spiraling such as in business partnerships and marriages where the stats of breakup are astronomical. Other times they are simple miscommunications of lesser impact that don't negatively affect the relationship.
As an experienced listener, sometimes I smile when I happen to hear people answer the question they think they heard and be replied to as if they answered the question that was asked. A recipe for trouble. Then the conversation twists and turns and no one is the wiser (but me!).
What can you do to avoid these breakdowns?
First and foremost be committed to open listening. Honestly, you don't have to be right all the time. Others have worthwhile opinions too. Don't set yourself up to judge. Put your agenda aside. You can always embrace it later. Allow the possibility that you have something to learn from someone else. Often what happens is that you may reject the idea expressed but it triggers yet another idea and another. Before you know it you've both expanded your options and have created new and exciting possibilities. Or you have respectfully listened to each other's viewpoints and feelings or cleared the air about something which needed to occur before moving on to the business itself.
In partnerships there is an additional vital element for good communication. That is a commitment to the relationship no matter what the disagreements. It goes without saying that trust is a given.
Now that you have the mindset, you can use the following techniques.
- Be open and honest with your declarations.
- Repeat back what you think you heard for clarification.
- Ask questions to be sure.
Did you mean...?
Are you saying....?
Did I make myself clear?
Can I/you say that another way?
Did I hurt your feelings?
Have I offended you?
That's a great idea!
Thank you for pointing that out.
I appreciate you saying that.
I never thought of it that way.
That's brilliant!
When communication is clear, you've taken the most important step to preserve your partnership and relationships.
About The Author
Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D. is principal of Next Level Business and Professional Coaching. She coaches Professionals and Business Partners and teaches teleclasses on techniques to break through barriers to the next level. Dr. Lehavi offers a complimentary coaching session so you can experience how coaching can work for you. Contact Dr. Lehavi at Dorene@CoachingforYourNextLevel.com or on the web at Http://www.CoachingforYourNextLevel.com. Subscribe to Mastering Your Next Level monthly e-newsletter at http://www.coachingforyournextlevel.com/newsletter.html
dorene@nextlevelpartnership.com
 Google News Updated : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:49:07 GMT As Palin Brings Up Ayers, Obama Team Cites Keating - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Anne E. Kornblut and Michael Abramowitz The presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama for the first time criticized Sen. John McCain for his role in the "Keating Five" savings-and-loan scandal yesterday, saying the issue was fair game after a ... Video: AP Campaign Minute McCain ready for combat in 2nd presidential debate Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:17:08 GMT Rays roll over White Sox, punch ticket to ALCS - Sports Network
Sports Network - Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - BJ Upton hit two solo homers, and the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Chicago White Sox, 6-2, to clinch their first berth in an American League Championship Series in franchise history. White Sox eliminated from post-season with Game 4 loss to Rays Rays Finish Off White Sox to Reach ALCS Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:14:13 GMT Three Europeans win the 2008 Nobel for medicine - International Herald Tribune
International Herald Tribune - By Lawrence K. Altman The Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded Monday to three European scientists who discovered viruses behind two devastating illnesses, AIDS and cervical cancer. Aids and cervical cancer pioneers share Nobel award Nobel Prize to HPV Researcher Highlights Importance of Cervical ... Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:50:01 GMT Computer Chip to Monitor Teen Drivers - ABC News
ABC News - By LISA STARK, MATT HOSFORD and KATE BARRETT Car keys -- long perceived as the keys to teenagers' freedom -- may soon be the best way for parents to monitor their every move. Going Along on the Ride With Junior Ford: Key limits speed, stereo volume Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:16:34 GMT Injury forces May-Treanor to sit out this 'Dancing' - USA Today
USA Today - By Bill Keveney, USA TODAY Two-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor may be sidelined from ABC's Dancing With the Stars, but she says she won't let a leg injury suffered during rehearsals stop her from competing in beach volleyball. Misty May-Treanor drops out of ‘Dancing’ May-Treanor vows torn achilles won't end her volleyball career ... Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:09:39 GMT China's Reputation On Product Safety Reaches a New Low - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Blaine Harden Even Burma -- where one of the world's most repressive and isolated military governments relies on trade with China -- has now warned its people to steer clear of all Chinese dairy products. Video: No Traces of Melamine in New Test of Milk Powder China vows overhaul of 'chaotic' milk industry Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:55:33 GMT Plaxico Burress takes Giants to school with tired act - New York Daily News
New York Daily News - Plaxico Burress with his son after the Giants win Super Bowl 42. Burress will need to get his act together if the Giants are to repeat as champs. Burress Returns to Giants, With No Regrets Unapologetic Plaxico Burress returns to Giants Publ.Date : Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:10:29 GMT Earn Money With Surveys |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Did you know that business executives spend about half their... Read More Last week I was confused and frustrated about a few... Read More 1. Let people know what you expect. If people know... Read More As crazy as it seems, some people spend more time... Read More IntroductionWhen Alex Osborn invented the creativity technique called brainstorming, I... Read More THE MEASUREMENT OF TRAINING: Evaluation is one of the most... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More There are different reactions that individuals experience during time of... Read More The role of a manager is evolving in response to... Read More Encouraged by the recognition, Sarah Lewsiton went home from work... Read More Performance appraisals aren't fun. But a lot of the time... Read More The higher you go, the cooler it becomes. Really? Let... Read More "But you don't understand!" exclaimed the manager, "this new initiative... Read More In these days of takeovers and mergers, of downsizings and... Read More I once worked with a developer who showed up at... Read More If past behavior is the best way to determine future... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More Your people are invaluable to you. They are the lifeblood... Read More 1. Sell more back end products to your existing customer... Read More In articles I've written over the years, I have used... Read More Some managers think of performance appraisal meetings and recollections of... Read More Each time you or one of your work crews cruises... Read More If you have company delivery vehicles at your small or... Read More Much of the literature and advice on implementing business change... Read More If there is someone nearby as you read this look... Read More
Adsense
websites
Strategies for Planning and Conducting Effective Meetings
Riding the Waves to Success
The Ten Keys to Maximizing Employee Performance
Selecting a Business Broker or Intermediary to Help You Sell Your Business
You Didnt Use Brainstorming to Select Your Measures, Did You?
The Measurement of Manager Training
Innovation Management ? Rigorous data analysis
Implementing Change
Intercultural Management
Why Saying Well Done Works
Performance Appraisal - Ten Stupid Things Managers Do To Screw It Up
The Higher You Go
Dialogue: the Four Dialogic Principles For Successful Communication
When Change Is In the Wind...Heads Up!
Project Management - Its Just A Button
Behavioral Interview Questions You Can Use Monday Morning
Innovation Management and Brainstorming Management ? why people hate to brainstorm!
Employee Motivation - Access Their Unique Talents
10 Ways To Maintain Profits In A Slow Economy
Entitlement Programs Kill Productivity
Performance Appraisals: Nightmares or Sweet Dreams
Driving of work trucks
Preventative Maintenance of Company Delivery Vehicles
Don?t Forget Where You Came from - Why the Past is Important in Implementing Business Change
Identifying Potential in Ourselves and Others
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Why Soft Skills?
The industrial age is over. Organizations still stuck in the... Read More
Creativity Management - The Value of Being Prolific
When asked his secret to success, the author Graham Green... Read More
Understanding How Change Has Changed
There seems to be an assumption that change is a... Read More
How Your Feelings and Those of Your Employees Can Make The Difference
How we feel is really more important than what we... Read More
Poor Employee Performance: How to Deal
KEEP WRITTEN RECORDS: "Document !Document! Document!" Keep a record of... Read More
Align The Enterprise & Make Beautiful Music Together
Q: Why is a great business like a great marching... Read More
Organizational Capital in Politics, War, Sports and Business
Intangible Corporate Assets such as Organizational Capital, Blue Sky and... Read More
An Original Perspective on Waging Conflict as a Way to Promote and Restore Self-dignity
Conflict is a fact of life for all of us,... Read More
Computer Consulting 101 Hiring Tips (Part 1 of 2)
Does your business need the services of a computer consulting... Read More
A Facilitators Guide to Running a Stakeholder Analysis Workshop
This facilitator's guide to running a stakeholder analysis workshop is... Read More
Organize your Office- Seven Solutions
1. Create a filing system with broad categories such as... Read More
Profound Knowledge
We all are on a quest for knowledge. Whether its... Read More
A Journey of a Thousand Miles
You can't build a reputation on what you are "going"... Read More
The Boss Didn?t Understand Why His Staff Wasn?t Reading His Mind
Many people believe that everyone sees the world exactly the... Read More
10 Steps Towards A Stress-Free Introduction Into Management
Becoming a manager for the first time can be an... Read More
Reducing the High Cost of Absenteeism
Employers pay a high price for absenteeism, often more than... Read More
Being a Great Boss
Are you one of those bosses that people just love... Read More
Spirits in the Corporate Boardroom.......Oh, sure......
There is a growing movement in the spiritual... Read More
Offshore This! (Outsourcing Tech Support Overseas)
So I call my telephone company and someone picks up... Read More
Five Problem-Solving Success Tips
The ability to solve complicated problems quickly is more important... Read More
Project Management - The Traveling Product Manager
Various studies ? and common sense ? indicate that involving... Read More
Managing Client Relationships
Managing Client Relationships: Even the best run organizations occasionally run... Read More
ISO 9001 What Records Does My Business Need To Keep?
Which documents must I keep for ISO 9001?In addition to... Read More
It?s Not All About Cheese: The Missing Component in Employee Development (Part 2)
In part one of this article I told you about... Read More
Punctuality in Business: What it Says About You
"Nothing inspires confidence in a business man sooner than punctuality,... Read More
Business Management |