Communication is a key to personal success. Understanding the information you receive and having information you provide interpreted as intended is not easy.

When listening or observing we interpret we filter the input and the result is not always as intended. Similarly when we communicate verbally we regularly say more than is needed.

Filtering

It’s virtually impossible to communicate, whether incoming or outgoing without some level of filtering affecting the result. When sending a communication you can reduce the risk of filtering through brevity.

Many mistakenly believe detail will support clarity. In reality, the more information provided, the more filtering occurs on the recieving end and thus a greater likelyhood of misunderstanding.

Few words, carefully selected and crafted into short uderstandable groupings are far more likely to be interpreted as intended.

In fact, more information, longer explanations including many supporting details frequently just get filtered out. The multitude of words are simply are not heard.

Although there may appear to be receptivity on the the part of the listener, the filtering going on in their brain is invisible to you, but it is definately present.

Wait

Start with a few words and wait for a response. This is doing the listener a favour, they have less filtering to do (fewer words on your part) and more time to digest, absorb, analyze and understand.

Your pause should prompt a response which will give an idea of the level of understanding. These allows you to craft your next set of few words (if needed) in way targeted to enhance understanding.

Improve your communication, use fewer words and longer pauses inbetween. You’ll beamazed how quickly it works.