Table of Contents
What common causes of communication misunderstandings have you found out?
Here are eight common causes of miscommunication and misunderstanding.
- Implicit vs explicit communication. Sometimes we mean exactly what we say.
- Written vs verbal.
- Competitive conversation forms.
- Negativity bias.
- Poor listening skills.
- Poor speaking skills.
- Misaligned lingo.
- Mental models.
What are some things that people might misunderstand about me?
Below, a few more habits that can make people misunderstand you, for the worse.
- Being A Little Too Sarcastic.
- Hiding Your Emotions.
- Not Being Fully Present.
- Frowning.
- Fidgeting.
- Not Making Eye Contact.
- Failing To Actually Listen.
- Seeming Shy Or Introverted.
What should you do when you’ve been misunderstood?
Once you’ve taken the time to assess the situation and have come to the conclusion that you’ve been misunderstood, your goal should be to pursue clarity, not just be correct. Understood in this way, misunderstandings are opportunities for the parties involved to learn from each other and discover how others interpret the world.
Why are misunderstandings important in a relationship?
Understood in this way, misunderstandings are opportunities for the parties involved to learn from each other and discover how others interpret the world. Taking on the goal of clarity also provides a path forward. Note that it may not be a good idea to begin with, “What I meant was [another attempt at what you meant].”
Do you often feel like your needs and motives get misinterpreted?
Do you often feel as though, no matter how clearly you think you’re communicating, your needs and motives get misinterpreted? This is because everyone in your life is listening to you through a powerful filter (the filter of their own needs) which transmutes what they hear.
Can misunderstandings and disagreements be unresolvable?
Some misunderstandings and disagreements are unresolvable, and that’s OK. As I noted when I began, generosity goes a long way. If one person is generous and the other is incalcitrant, a resolution may not be possible. Attempting to force one in such situations may do more damage.