Attraction Information

Communication Quiz: Are You a Great Communicator?


Communication, which occupies approximately 70% of our waking hours, is what many leaders find the most frustrating. The fact is most of us were never taught how to communicate in a way that produces desired results, so we continue to experience frustration, resistance, conflicts, or breakdowns. Think of a recent important conversation. How many of these questions can you answer YES to?

  • Did I taking full responsibility for the message being heard by the other person? (Remember, it doesn't matter what you say, it only matters what the other person hears.)
  • Did I respect the other person's point of view? (Did I have a reaction to what they were saying that prevented me from listening to their full message?)
  • Did the other person feel heard and understood? (Did I acknowledge them?)
  • If I was asking someone to take a specific action, did I make my request clear?
  • Was I speaking in a way the other person can understand? (Speaking in their communication style.)
  • Was I communicating openly, without prejudices, expectations and judgment? (Was I focused on having to be right or hearing their point of view?)
  • Did the other person leave the conversation feeling good - with some value?
  • Did I leave the conversation feeling good - with some value?
  • Did I follow-up to see if the conversation was successful - it led to the desired results?
  • If the outcome of the conversation did not meet my expectations, did I learn what I could improve upon to better communicate with that particular person?
  • So how did you score?
    8-10 Yeses indicate you're the tops. Keep up the good work.
    4-7 Yeses is OK. Brush up in certain areas.
    0-3 means you have work to do.
    Here are four ways to be a better communicator and leader:

    Talk less and hear more.
    We want to be heard and listened to but we don't always concentrate on listening to others. We focus more on our agenda than on the other person's thoughts, concerns or issues.

    Don't assume others are mind readers.
    We want some kind of action or response from another person. However, we don't let them know what we really want or how to achieve it. Before assuming the other knows what you want, first inform and then ask for feedback. Take the time upfront to get better mileage later on.

    Don't shot the messenger.
    We want to understand but our ability to understand is tainted by our perceptions of the person speaking or the outcome we are looking to achieve. So, we often pass judgment on the speaker and disregard the message. Concentrate on the message not the messenger.

    Join forces.
    We want acceptance and agreement from others, so much so, that we often become consumed with having to be right or proving our point. We push and push our agenda. Rather, stop, look and listen for areas of mutual agreement. Then work from there to co-create a greater outcome together.

    The next time you are involved in an important conversation pause your mental and verbal tape player for a moment. Then start really listening. It's amazing what you will discover. Perhaps information that can lead to your leadership and business success.

    Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job ­ to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks ­ resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs ­ fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.


    MORE RESOURCES:

    Disney World opens pricey racecar attraction
    guardian.co.uk, UK - 19 hours ago
    The latest tourist attraction at Walt Disney World in Florida weighs about 1500 pounds and to ride it, you have to sign nine pages of legal waivers and ...


    Rules of attraction
    Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 1 hour ago
    Then, four months into their marriage, Robyn felt she had lost her sexual attraction for Chris. She loved him, but wouldn’t mind if they never had sex again ...


    Examiner.com

    In Birds' circus, McNabb is the main attraction
    Examiner.com - Nov 20, 2008
    by Gordie Jones, Philadelphia Eagles Examiner Donovan McNabb looked over at a writer friend and me as we sat on a couch outside the auditorium in the ...


    Washington Post

    What Powered a 'Magnetic' Attraction
    Washington Post, United States - 17 hours ago
    Working under the moniker "Semiconductor," British-based artists Ruth Jarman and Joseph Gerhardt have been experimenting in film and performance since the ...


    ABC News

    Strange attraction: Kristin Stewart gets drawn into ‘Twilight’ zone
    Boston Herald, United States - Nov 16, 2008
    Bella first sees Edward in the cafeteria of their Pacific Northwest high school, and the mutual attraction is immediate. “Once you know something you can’t ...
    'Twilight': Fantasy rules in the Stephenie Meyer vampire tale PopMatters
    Twilight (Katey's Take) Cinema Blend
    'Twilight' continues tradition of vampire as love interest St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    New York Daily News - Fresno Bee (registration)
    all 733 news articles


    Integrated Reward and Talent Management Yields Better Attraction ...
    MarketWatch - Nov 20, 2008
    WASHINGTON, Nov 20, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- While the economic slowdown may be making it easier for employers to attract and retain ...
    Integrated Reward and Talent Management Yields Better Attraction ... Earthtimes (press release)
    all 8 news articles


    Bristol Herald Courier

    Upside-Down Attraction Is A ‘Wonder’
    Bristol Herald Courier, TN - Nov 19, 2008
    The exterior of Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. looks like the building landed upside down. By Joe Tennis PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. ...
    Titanic To Anchor In Pigeon Forge The Chattanoogan
    all 2 news articles


    Feline fatal attraction that has to be broken if Scotland's ...
    Times Online, UK - 18 hours ago
    Yet the final, killer blow may be struck by the attractions of its feline cousin. Interbreeding between wildcats and feral domestic cats has left this ...


    Popular holiday attraction is taking shape
    Port Huron Times Herald, MI - Nov 20, 2008
    BY STEPHEN TAIT Light displays in the shapes of ships, ice skaters and Christmas trees have popped up along the St. Clair River in Port Huron in the past ...


    WELT ONLINE

    Meet, James Bond. Madame Tussaud's Newest Wax Figure
    City Guide Magazine, NY - 17 hours ago
    Each attraction will have its own Daniel Craig figure. The figures were launched to celebrate the arrival of the eagerly anticipated 22nd Bond film, ...
    At the Movies with Kevin: Quantum of Solace unimpressive SHSU Houstonian Online (registration)
    all 252 news articles

    Attraction - Google News

    home | site map
    © 2008