Overcoming Communication Challenges (Part II: how we
take in information)
Do you find it effortless to communicate clearly with some
co-workers or clients, but feel completely misunderstood with others?
Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychologist posited that we
have innate preferences that predict how we will act in certain situations –
including communication. The four dichotomies that make up the Myers Briggs
Type Indicator (MBTI) are how we take in information, how we make decisions,
where we get our energy, and how we organize our outer world.
Let‘s look at how we take in information. The two preference
types are Sensing and Intuition. Sensing preferences align closely with the use
of the 5 senses – what is tangible as in factual, specific, concrete. Intuition
is more conceptual, like fitting puzzle pieces together to form a bigger
picture. Neither one is better than the other – just different.
When it comes to communication - if we have a sensing
preference, we want factual information presented; we want to see plans in
sequential steps and based on what has been proven to work. Compare that with the intuition preference,
where we want to see how the facts relate to each other to fit into a bigger
picture and to explore possibilities that may not have been considered before.
In communication, our differing preferences can cause us to
use the same words that mean different things to the two types and lead to
misunderstanding. A great illustration
here is with time. “I’ll get this to you in a few minutes.” For a sensing
preference “a few minutes” is exactly that – a few (e.g. 3-5 minutes) so that
is their expectation for something to be on time. For an intuition preference,
“a few minutes” is relative. Even if it is completed hours later, they consider
it to be on time.
The most important thing to remember for both sensing and
intuition preferences in their communication is “clarify, clarify, clarify!”
To improve our communication, we want to identify our
individual preferences, and understand those opposite ours, so that we
know how best to reach across the potential communication gap and have
meaningful and productive communication.
Want to learn how to improve your collaborative
communication and decision-making skills? As a Myers-Briggs Certified Coach, I
work with both individuals and groups.
Lavonne Mullet Career Insights, LLC
In partnership with DLBizServices.com | Biz & Life Coach | Business Services
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