Shared Understanding

How can you be sure that what you just said was understood?

Isn't it enough when they nod their head?

Isn't it enough when they say yes?

Maybe. And then again maybe not.

Building shared understanding requires the time to explore your meaning in some detail. Agreement is unsteady unless their is understanding behind it. Before I honor that promise to cut your lawn, I really ought to know whether your lawn is a quarter acre, or twenty square smiles. Before you agree to call me on Thursday we both should understand what time zone we're going to be talking in.

Effective communication reaches a clear, shared understanding.

Understanding includes:

- details
- facts
- emotionsc- intention
- conditions
- circumstances
- environment
- deal breakers
- relationships

... and more. It depends on the message. What I've found is that most people do not go deep into the message to truly know if they've achieved both understanding and agreement. Usually as leaders we need both. Agreement without understanding is not solid. Understanding without agreement seldom moves our goals forward. As a centered, high performance leader, go for both.

What will you do today to take your conversations to a deeper level of understanding?

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Comments

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