[[Notes]] - Topics: [[Communication]] - People: Katherine Hampsten - Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfzeONu3Mo --- ## Summary - You must actively listen. Really listen. Passive hearing is not the same. - Listen with everything. Communication is more than just words. Meaning often comes from words unspoken. - [[Take time to understand as you try to be understood]]. Communication works both ways. - Be truly open - open to the idea that you may not be right. See the potential truth in others. - Communication is complex. It is made more complex with the increase of noise. Focus on the signal from the noise. **Derive meaning from the mess**. - Despite our differences, we can still establish a shared understanding together, creating the common ground on which we can all stand on. ## Notes ### Complexity - "Even when face to face with another person int he very same room, speaking the same language, human communication is very complex." - The complexity of conversation grows exponentially to the amount of people conversing as well as distractions. - It becomes exponentially more difficult to focus on the signal from the noise - to **derive meaning from the mess**. ### Models of communication - **Transmission model** - Communication is about messages that move directly from one person to another. It's a model that focuses purely on the exchange of the message and nothing else - similar to someone you a tossing a ball, and then walking away. - **Transaction model** - Communication is more like a game of catch between people. As we communicate, we received feedback. - "Through the transaction, **we create meaning together**." ### The exchange - Effective communication requires feedback, which can take the form of both verbal and non-verbal cues, such as a "yes" or a nod. This helps signal to the speaker that a connection has been made and is being maintained. - The back and forth exchange of messages and feedback means that the people conversing are engaged, or engaged enough. - If the conversation is mostly one way, it becomes more of a lecture than an exchange. ### Interpretation - "As humans, we can't help but send and receive messages through our subjective lens." - As messages get exchanged, interpretation from all parties are expressed and received. - "Our perception filters continually shift meaning and interpretations." - It's like a game of catch, but with a lump of clay. The clay being shaped and reshaped by each person as they touch it - molding it to fit their own unique perception (and biases). - Messages are also based on the **relationships between** the people conversing, on top of things like knowledge, experience, and language syntax. ### Simple practices - "Recognize that passive hearing and active listening are not the same thing." - "Engage actively with the verbal and non-verbal feedback of others, and adjust your message to facilitate greater understanding." - "Listen with your eyes and ears, as well as with your gut." - "Communication is more than just words." - [[Take time to understand as you try to be understood]]. - "In the rush to express ourselves, it's easy to forget that communication is a 2-way street." - "Be open to what the other person might say." - [[Stop talking, start listening. Stop dismissing, start persuading. Stop shutting down, start opening our minds.]] - "Be aware of your personal perceptual filters" - "Elements of your experience influence how you see the world." - "Don't assume your perception is the object truth." - Share a dialogue with others to reach a common understanding together. ## Original ![[How miscommunication happens, and how to avoid it-1.jpg]] ![[How miscommunication happens, and how to avoid it-2.jpg]] ![[How miscommunication happens, and how to avoid it-3.jpg]]