Say What? Communication Blind Spots

Communication just may be the most important business skill that you can develop. Among a long list of reasons, it is critical to effective working relationships and relationships are the bedrock of business.

If you know something and are trying to convey, transmit, teach it to someone else, or if you require something of someone else and cannot communicate with precision what your ask of them is, you are not going to be successful.

Communication is understandably difficult. We tend to make too many assumptions when we communicate that we are all understanding, or processing things the same way. In fact we generally are not.

“I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”                                       
                                                                     -Robert McCloskey

The message I am sending- that I believe is crystal clear- and the receiver of that messages interpretation of my ‘crystal clear’ message is not always in sync.

The net result is that I’m likely frustrated because I did not get the result I was looking for; you are frustrated too. Your frustration is likely rooted in the fact that I am as unhappy with the outcome as you are or perhaps, as Mr. McCloskey wisely puts it, ‘what you heard is not what I meant.’ You wonder- why wasn’t I more clear with you?

It takes two to tango, as they say.

imapMyTeam® can help you communicate more effectively by helping you identify blind spots in your communication patterns. In the center panel pull down menu of your imapMyTeam® home page you will find the Communication Blind Spots report.


This report will help bridge the communication gap by making you more aware of ways you may be overusing or under-using certain messaging strategies. When those are in sync with your intended receiver you are in great shape – if not in sync with the receiver…well then just read Mr. McCloskey’s quote again to sum up the situation.

Fear Your Strengths

Our strengths are a gift, of sorts. They largely develop into ‘second nature’ and come so naturally to us that we have a tendency to lean on them in many, if not all, circumstances that we find ourselves in.

You have come to know your strengths well through imapMyTeam®. There are many reports that describe that behavior in a positive way and how it contributes to your success and the success of the team. However…
You need to learn the other side.

Your strengths can also work against you. You need to develop your self-awareness so you can determine where those strengths are working for you and where they may be working against you.
Are you able to recognize when you take your strengths too far?

For example, let’s say one of your strengths is to be exceedingly direct. In many circumstances that can be a strength. When you need to be crystal clear and get right to the point that directness works. The question you need to ask yourself is ‘where doesn’t it work?’ With whom or under what circumstances might some tactfulness improve the outcome.

There are many reports available in imapMyTeam® to help you reflect on this. You can look at your strengths in the Team Player grid and reflect on times that strength did not serve you well with someone or some circumstance. Reports such as ‘How to Talk to Them’ or ‘What to Avoid with Them’ help you understand others preferences. If your strengths are opposite of that other person’s preference, how well are you managing your strength in regards to that other person?

If you are aware – and modifying your strengths as necessary, congratulations are in order. If you are not, learning to ‘fear’ your strengths and a bit more adaptability would be a good goal for 2016.

Beginnings and Endings

Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings, is portrayed by two faces, one looking to the past and one to the future; two equally important viewpoints.

The month of January is named for Janus and at the beginning of the year we especially tend to look forward in making resolutions for the upcoming year. While you may not care about mythical Roman gods like Janus, 2016 can be the year you care about resolving to be a real advocate of good beginnings and good endings.

In today’s workforce people are more mobile than ever. If not leaving the company, people are changing roles, teams and projects within the company. Which means there are plenty of opportunities for you to get the beginnings and endings of your work relationships right.

As you look to the past and consider co-workers that have been part of your world, how did you manage the beginnings and endings of those relationships? Were you satisfied you did everything possible to manage or support their success? As you look to the future when new co-workers and teammates are added - how will you manage your new beginnings and eventually endings with them more effectively?

You want to do your best, because when you do your best at these new beginnings others will notice and it will positively impact their performance. And that directly impacts the bottom line of your business. Their success is your success.

You have at your disposal an incredibly powerful resource to help you - imapMyTeam®.
If you have not already done so, it is not too late to resolve to use imapMyTeam® more frequently in 2016. A little investment in time yields a great return in your people and relationships.


This time next year, when, as Janus suggests, you look back on 2016 and look forward to 2017 you’ll be happy that you did – and so will your teammates.