Thursday, November 20, 2008

Communicating Is Connecting!

I was listening last night to a reporter describe how and why she had asked some recent interview questions. It was an interview that, as presented to the public, did not go so well for the interviewee. However, when I heard the reporter describe where they were coming from with the questions I understood why the failure occurred.

Basically the reported acknowledged the following:

  • One of the "series" of questions included difficult questions and NOT what the person being interviewed would be prepared to answer in an "off the cuff" interview.
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  • The person being interviewed was giving the reporter time in the middle of a very busy schedule and the reporter again acknowled that some of the entry questions were from a prepared for list that, again the person being interview would not have anticipated.
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  • The reporter asked some questions from a personal interest, not finessing the question to accomodate what might be some sensitivities of the person being interviewed.

Need I say more! As in all communications ... no matter what you ask, present, teach, etc. ... both ends need to be in sync. If you are the initiator you simply cannot just think about what you want from the communication. You must bring the other "end's" position, mind-set, being, etc. into your question, presentation or teaching. If you don't know about the other end ... either be generic or find a way to inquire via intro steps more specifics so your final communication will "connect!" It is that simple ... just look at it as a connection. Are you meeting in the middle??

In the age of social networking, email and public communications of all sorts, it is more important than ever to pay attention to both ends of what you are trying to achieve! Communication can lead to a success or a bust! The above interview has been perceived as a bust. The reporter did not try to connect at a level that would have achieved quality communications.
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Good business is good communications.

Keep you business garden growing ...
margie

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