Everything Communication Questions

Look at the example of Brad and Helen below.  What have you learnt from it in terms of how such “inner dialogue” might affect the quality of communication with other people.  Be ready to share this in your next team discussion.

EXAMPLE: SEEING WHAT WE WANT TO SEE

Two managers work in the same medium-sized PR company. Brad, a senior planner, has called a meeting with Helen, the marketing manager. The email sent says that the meeting is to discuss the timeline needed to launch a new product. When the meeting begins Brad shares where his department is in finalising the product and Helen listens avidly, nodding and adding the appropriate ahas. She seems to understand what he is saying. Brad meets her eyes often, smiling as he speaks to her. Never think that someone understands you even if they say they do or appear to. We might assume from first glance that the outcome of the meeting will be considered a success with the product soon to be launched on the market. If we had the ability to read minds however, we might find that something else is being communicated. Helen has a strong attraction to Brad but has never expressed it, believing that workplace romance is unprofessional and a recipe for disaster. Alone with Brad in this meeting she finds him irresistible, and she doesn’t hear a word of his presentation. She thinks he likes her, because the more she nods and expresses understanding, the more animated he becomes, laughing and clearly pleased to be in her company. Brad, on the other hand, has a girlfriend, a successful career woman who works long hours. Because he wants to start a family, he has become irritated by ambitious young women who will even work on weekends to finish projects. Realising, however, that his quarterly performance depends on launching this product, he hides his prejudice and works hard at impressing Helen with his professional skills.