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Components of Language. Difficulties. Language is inherently ambiguous. Typically, the Message Sender see only one possible interpretation. The Sender of the message may purposely use language that has multiple interpretations. “I am going down to the bank.”
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Difficulties • Language is inherently ambiguous. • Typically, the Message Sender see only one possible interpretation. • The Sender of the message may purposely use language that has multiple interpretations. • “I am going down to the bank.” • The pressure not to ask for clarification can be immense such as fear of humiliation. • “People are the key to our success.” Corporate or the politicians reply according to the audience.
Difficulties continued • The Receiver may purposely misunderstand. • The Receiver may constructively understand the message. • Because ambiguity permeates all messages, thoughtful understanding is essential. • “I want the report.” “Oh, I thought you meant Monday.” • Always assume positive intent… your whole approach to a person or problem will be different if you are positive. • Take the time to listen and to ask questions.
Consider… • If communicators do not share assumptions about the context … • High-context cultures communicate in ways which depend on shared experiences … • Low-context cultures communicate in explicit ways with formalized agreements… • Then they frequently misunderstand one another. • Because they tend to have collectivist values e.g. Japan and Middle East countries • Because they stress individual values e.g. Germany, Sweden, United States
Context Building • It is misleading to believe that … • Situations are commonly experienced but … • Context infuses our day-to -day being … • Context exists independent of anyone’s presence • Context is individualistic – there is not one common context – there are many. • With accurate and inaccurate assumptions, useful and useless interpretations , valuable and valueless sensitivities
Consider … • Past communications build a powerful set of contextual clues … • Many messages contain important secondary information … • Crying wolf too often. Berating by the boss makes one suspect of praise. The positive “Success breeds Success” also paints a picture. • When I was working on the “Hill” I was involved in International Economic concerns.
Content … • Content consists of… • Content cannot alone produce meaning … • Decoding the message means … • The actual words, gestures, or behaviors of senders. • Meaning requires context for proper interpretation. • Understanding it within the context of the organization and the position of the sender
Ergo … • Know the context in which the employees interpret actions and messages. • Employee expectations are the silent measures of the messages. • Frame the message carefully. • Artfully accentuate certain interpretations so that you can chisel away at possible misinterpretation. • The bigger the populations, the more misinformation will spread. There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it.
Ways to reduce misinterpretations: • Follow up with: “ I am not saying X; I am not saying Y. Narrow the possible misunderstandings and wrong interpretations. • Keep on the topic. Do not go off on tangents. • Stay focused on the important issues. • The knowledge base must be firm.
